They were finally off with Ben Eder in the lead, but First Mate shot to the front at once and nearly pulling Thorpe's arms from their sockets set a merry clip past the stand, down the back stretch and around to the next turn. Ben Brush had not been lagging, but with Simms almost urging the sluggish colt had been laying up in fourth position. At the turn from the back stretch Simms leaned far over his mount's neck and urged him to the front. He soon overhauled First Mate, who had not thought the race would be so long, and turned in for home with a good lead and the race apparently already won. But the white face of Ben Eder had followed him through like a ghost and was coming on the outside like a flash of light. Running free and strong this true son of Fonso showed the heritage of a Derby winning sire. The family prestige must be maintained and he bid fair to do it. For one fleeting instant the white face showed before the red. But Ben Brush, too, came from an unconquered race and the blood of Bramble and old Bonnie Scotland surged through his veins as responding to the touch of steel his extended nose was thrust again an inch in front. Then Tabor made the mistake of his life. His horse was running true and comparatively fresh. The spurt of Ben Brush was only a spasmodic effort. He would have come back before the wire was reached. But Tabor reached for his whip and Ben Eder losing his jockey's aid faltered a trifle. It was now a battle of jockeys. Both urged their mounts with whip and spur, but Tabor was riding all over his horse while Simms lifted his mount at every stride. On they came nose and nose until with an expiring effort Simms struck the wire first. It was probably the only point in the last fifty yards at which a difference could be detected between the two horses. The crowd was such as only a great race can bring out and then only in Kentucky. The railroads and steamboats from all directions poured thousands of people into the city and vehicles of every description from carriages to spring wagons kept up a steady procession out the driveways to the track, while an endless chain of street cars discharged their human freight at the jockey club gates. Over ten thousand people are officially reported to have paid admission, while thousands of ladies and complimented visitors doubtless brought the attendance up to the 15,000 mark. The stands and tall steps were packed and the crowd stood thick all along the broad space between the track and stand and extended down to the fence beyond the betting shed. A feature was the social prominence given the occasion and reminded one of the old times when Col. Clark set the fashion in Louisville and led the way on his tally-ho to the races. The Courier-Journal gives the following statements from the judges: