A more beautiful morning could not have been made for the opening day of
the Louisville Jockey Club. Not a cloud was to be seen, and the genial
rays of the sun made the day most charming. The Kentucky Derby grows in
interest with each recurring year, and this was its eleventh renewal.
There is more ante-post betting on it than on any race in this country,
and the winner is generally awarded the highest honor as a three-year old.
The track was in splendid order, except the chute, which has not been
galloped over and was deep and dusty. The grounds looked neat and clean
with its holiday suit of whitewash, which was a pretty contrast with the
emerald green of the grass on the inner field.
The attendance was immense, the largest ever seen on a race track in
Kentucky save the Ten Broeck-Mollie McCarthy match. The inner field was
full of all kinds of vehicles and conveyances, while the training track
was packed full of people from the head of the homestretch down past the
grand stand and well around the turn, nearly half a mile of people almost
solidly packed. Here and there could be seen a number of heads on the
turn peeping out under the rails, reminding one of a lot of frogs coming
out to sun themselves. It was a glorious sight to see--the grand stand
literally packed with people while the inner field and every available
place, and the stables, tents and booths outside of the main course were
alive with people, the hum and noise coming up from thousands of throats
reminded one of a grand chorus from a distant orchestra.
The race of the year, the Kentucky Derby came, and after the ten were
weighed in the questioning never ceased as to who would win until it was
finally decided. We are perfectly satisfied in our own mind that Bersan
would have won if Favor, his stable companion, had not crossed and
interfered with him to such an extent at the vital part of the race--the
homestretch. The best colt was second, and barring accidents he will
demonstrate it before the year is over. He will make a grand race horse.
We would not rob Joe Cotton of his laurels honestly won, still we believe
Bersan is a better race horse over a distance of ground.
Keokuk cut out the running, Playfair second, Irish Pat third, followed by
Clay Pate, Thistle, Bersan, Joe Cotton, Favor, Lord Coleridge and Ten
Booker. Entering the main track at the three-quarter pole Keokuk led, with
Favor second, Joe Cotton third, rest well bunched. Passing the stand
Keokuk still led, Bersan second, Lord Coleridge third, the pace slow,
Irish Pat fourth, followed in close order by Playfair, Favor, Joe Cotton,
Thistle, Clay Pate and Ten Booker. Bersan showed in the lead at the
quarter, Keokuk third, Irish Pat fourth, rest bunched. At the half Bersan
still led, Favor second, Joe Cotton third, and it looked like a battle
between the stables of Williams and Morris & Patton. Entering the stretch
Joe Cotton showed in front on the outside with Favor next, and Bersan at
the pole third, Thistle fourth. Just after fairly getting into straight
running Favor swerved over on Bersan, cutting him off and making him lose
several lengths. Bersan had to pull back, and less than two hundreds yards
from home was two lengths behind Joe Cotton, gaining at every stride. Joe
Cotton managed to beat him on the post by a short neck. Ten Booker, who
came very fast at the finish, was a length off third, followed by Favor,
Thistle, Keokuk, Clay Pate, Playfair, Irish Pat and Lord Coleridge. The
first half 52, three-quarters 1:19, first mile 1:44, race 2:37-1/2.