On Tuesday morning, "Derby Day," the sun rose clear and not a cloud was to
be seen, which with westerly wind was the precursor of a gloriously fine
day. The attendance was very large. All the stands and betting enclosures
were inconveniently crowded, and in the inner field the rails for near a
quarter of a mile were lined with people from six to ten deep, while the
field, clad in the greenest of spring verdure, was thickly dotted over
with every variety of conveyance, from the cart to the splendid coach and
landau.
For the Kentucky Derby, only half a dozen sported silk for this valuable
and important event. Hindoo was such a big favorite that little money was
wagered on him, he being the favorite at 5 to 2 over the field. The race
was never in doubt, but Hindoo had to have the whip, his jockey giving him
two raps as he entered the stretch, and he won easy at the finish by four
lengths, Lelex beating Alfambra half a length for second place. The
official time of the race, 2:40, is not correct, but will have to stand.
The party throwing the flag threw it as soon as the drum tapped, long
before the horses reached the pole. The correct time is 2:38-1/2.
Calycanthus was not disposed to join his horses, but was finally brought
up, Lelex in the lead, Calycanthus second, Hindoo third, Getaway fourth,
Alfambra fifth, Sligo sixth. Before reaching the three-quarter pole
Calycanthus took the lead, with Lelex second, Hindoo third. Passing the
stand Calycanthus was half a length in front of Hindoo, second, who was a
like distance ahead of Lelex, third, followed by Sligo, Alfambra and
Getaway. At the quarter Hindoo was a head in front of Calycanthus, Lelex
third, Sligo fourth. Before reaching the half Lelex was a length in front
and the cry went up that Hindoo, who was second, was beaten, Sligo third.
On the lower turn Hindoo moved up and showed in front, and on entering the
stretch began to loaf a little, and his jockey gave him a couple of raps
with the whip as a reminder, and he came away and won easy at the finish
by four lengths. Lelex beat Alfambra a half length for second place, after
a whipping race home. Sligo two lengths from Alfambra, fourth, Getaway
fifth, Calycanthus sixth. Mile, 1:47-1/2; race, 2:40.