For the Kentucky Derby, Lord Murphy was made the favorite at nearly even
against the field, and fully justified the high opinion in which he is
held by his friends in running the fastest Kentucky Derby on record. His
trainer, George H. Rice, brought him to the post in the pink of order.
Though Falsetto and Strathmore were defeated they lost no credit and
proved themselves excellent colts, and we should not be surprised to see
Falsetto rank yet with the best of the year.
The entire lot went away like a platoon of cavalry in line to a beautiful
start, Gen. Pike in the lead, Strathmore second, Lord Murphy, who got
knocked to his knees on the first turn, third, Wissahicon fourth, Trinidad
fifth, One Dime sixth, Ada Glen seventh, Buckner eighth, Falsetto ninth.
Half way round the turn the lot were so closely bunched that it was
impossible to distinguish the colors in the clouds of dust. At the
three-quarter pole Ada Glen was first, lapped by Gen. Pike, Strathmore and
Lord Murphy. At the stand Gen. Pike was a head in front of Strathmore
second, he lapped by Trinidad, then came the second division a length off,
composed of One Dime, Wissahicon, Lord Murphy and Ada Glen, followed by
Buckner eighth and Falsetto ninth. They had hardly gone under the string
until Strathmore was a length in front of Gen. Pike, who was lapped by
Trinidad. Going round the turn the pace was fast, Strathmore still leading
at the quarter pole. Just after passing the quarter Lord Murphy took
second place, One Dime third, Gen. Pike and Trinidad dropping back. Before
reaching the half-mile Lord Murphy lapped and showed in front of
Strathmore second, One Dime third, Falsetto fourth. Lord Murphy was a
length in front on the lower turn and at the three-quarter pole,
Strathmore second, two lengths in front of One Dime third, who was lapped
by Falsetto. Entering the stretch Falsetto came with a rush and passed One
Dime and Strathmore and half way down lapped Lord Murphy. A most exciting
race took place between the pair to within forty yards of the stand, where
Lord Murphy drew clear and won the race by a length and a half, Falsetto
second, three lengths in front of Strathmore third, followed by Trinidad
fourth, Ada Glen fifth, One Dime sixth, Gen. Pike seventh, Buckner eighth,
Wissahicon ninth. Mile 1:45; race 2:37.