History of the Kentucky Derby, 1875-1921O'Connor, John Lawrence
History
History of the Kentucky Derby, 1875-1921
O'Connor, John Lawrence
Horse racing -- Kentucky; Kentucky Derby
No better evidence would be wanted of the popularity and growing interest
in racing than was the case to-day, the opening of the Spring meeting of
the Louisville Jockey Club. The club have struck the keynote of success in
throwing open the inner field free to the public, which was graced to-day
by some six or eight thousand people, as well behaved and orderly an
assemblage as has ever been seen collected together. They came on foot, in
every sort and kind of vehicles, and the grand stand and every other
available space was full to overflowing to witness the first day, which
gave one of the best races ever witnessed in America. But we must not
anticipate our report. The sport proved to be of an interesting and most
exciting character, and those who were present were more than repaid. This
Association has been extremely fortunate in the way of weather, and to-day
was no exception to the rule. The track was in admirable order, but many
thought it was fully two seconds slow. The day was fine and springlike, a
slight breeze tempering the otherwise warm rays of the sun. The fields,
considering the number of horses on the grounds, were not as large as many
anticipated, but as the favorites were overthrown, the crowd shouted
themselves hoarse with joy.
For the Kentucky Derby, out of 56 nominations nine splendid colts faced
the starter. Himyar was such a big favorite, 3 to 1 over the field, that
he was left out of the pools, and Day Star was next in favor, closely
pushed by Bergundy and Leveller. The result is easily told. Day Star made
all his running and won the race like the first-class colt that he is,
just as he did the Blue Ribbon at Lexington. Himyar was miserably ridden,
and ran fully sixty or seventy-five yards farther in the race than was
necessary. This defeat does not lessen him in our estimation, and we look
upon him as the greatest colt of the year, with Day Star little inferior.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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