Persons who long wished and desired a beautiful day for the Kentucky Derby
were fully gratified Tuesday. The sun was out bright and the excessive
heat for the past week was tempered by a gentle breeze that made it all
the more enjoyable, albeit it militated some against faster time.
The course, from the heavy rain of Sunday, was not in the best possible
condition, and in some places was a little deep and uneven. Early in the
morning preparations commenced for the day's sport, and the crowded
condition of the hotels betokened a large attendance, and long before the
call bell was sounded to summon the jockeys and horses, the grand stand,
quarter-stretch, field and field stand were crowded to repletion with an
anxious crowd of spectators. The sky was flecked here and there with a few
masses of clouds, but there was nothing threatening about them. Now and
then they served the purpose of a veil, which hid the fierce glances of
the sun, and cast a shade over the vast crowd that was gathered on the
emerald green fields. Rarely, indeed, have the magnificent landscapes
which can be viewed on either side from the grand stand and its
neighborhood, looked more lovely. Behind, looking, we see the Nashville
railroad winding its way like a snake through green fields and woodlands
until it is lost in the distance. In front to one side you see the curling
smoke arising from the city, with a cloud of dust that indicates the road
over which the vast crowd is coming, bent on pleasure. To the left lay
green fields and woodlands, rejoicing in the light luxuriant foliage of
May; meadows and fields surrounded by whitened fences, here and there a
cottage dotted over the plain with their smoke curling lazily upwards.
Away beyond this could be seen the green hills running in a semi-circle,
indicating where the beautiful Ohio winds its way and marked the boundary
between Kentucky and Indiana.
For the Derby, eleven out of the forty-one nominations sported silk.
Leonard was a hot favorite, and the race resulted in his overthrow by
Baden-Baden, who was third choice in the betting. If Leonard could have
won, his chances were destroyed by the way in which the race was managed.
He made all the running, took the lead and set himself up as a target for
the others to shoot at, and right gallantly did Lisbon serve his stable
companion, Baden-Baden, for three-quarters of a mile at a clipping pace,
and then dropped back. Vera Cruz, who was backed with considerable spirit
by his friends, had his chances destroyed by being left at the post. King
William ran a good race, and for a colt that has had the knocking about
and hammering that he has, he is one of the best three-year-olds that has
appeared this year. His performance should add greatly to the reputation
of his young sire, Foster, one of the best bred sons of Lexington. The
race was an excellent one for the condition of the course.
After some three or four breakaways, the eleven were despatched to a good
start, except Vera Cruz, who reared and plunged just as the drum tapped,
Dan K. showing in front, but was soon passed by Lisbon, who cut out the
work at a sharp pace, the quarter 26-1/2 seconds. Entering the stretch
Leonard showed in front and had a lead of half a length at the stand, with
Lisbon and King William second and third, the remainder in pretty close
order, the half mile 52 seconds. Going around the turn King William joined
Leonard, and Lisbon dropped back, Baden-Baden taking his place, the
three-quarters 1:18. Going down the back stretch Leonard led King William
a length, the latter whipping, with Baden-Baden at his quarters, the mile
1:44-3/4. The two took close order on the turn, and just before entering
the stretch at the three-quarter pole, the mile and a quarter 2:11-1/2,
Baden-Baden showed his nose in front, Leonard second, lapped by King
William, all three driving. It was a beautiful and exciting finish to the
stand, Baden-Baden winning by little over a length, Leonard second, a head
in front of King William, third. Vera Cruz, who reared and was left at the
post, overhauled his horses and finished fourth, with Odd Fellow fifth,
lapped by McWhirter sixth, Malvern seventh, Earlylight eighth, Dan K.
ninth, Lisbon tenth, and Headlight eleventh. Time--2:38.