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.
After three or four false starts the lot were sent away to a capital one,
except for Charlie Bush, Bergundy, and the favorite, Himyar, who seemed to
hang fire, which enabled the lot to get some six to ten lengths the start.
At the half-mile pole Day Star was first, McHenry second, Respond third,
Leveller fourth, Solicitor fifth, Earl of Beaconsfield sixth, Charlie Bush
seventh, Burgundy eighth, and Himyar ninth. Day Star cut out the work at
rapid rate, no change occurring at the three-quarter pole. Day Star passed
the stand two lengths in front of McHenry, Respond third, Leveller fourth,
Himyar fifth, Charlie Bush sixth, Solicitor seventh, Earl of Beaconsfield
eighth, and Burgundy, who was knocked to his knees on the lower turn,
ninth. Day Star held his lead round the turn and after passing the
quarter-pole; Himyar, who was ridden miserably, running on the extreme
outside on the turn, took second place, with Leveller third. The race was
now over; Day Star was never headed and won easily by two lengths, the
spur being freely applied with an occasional touch of the whip in the last
quarter; Himyar second, four lengths in front of Leveller, third, followed
by Solicitor, McHenry, Respond, Burgundy, Earl of Beaconsfield, and
Charlie Bush in the order named. Quarter 25; half 50; three-quarters
1:16-1/2; mile 1:43; mile and a quarter 2:09-1/4; the race 2:37-1/4.