The morning was cloudy and threatening, and it rained all around but
fortune seems to favor the Louisville Jockey Club, and only a few drops of
rain fell during the day. The attendance was very large, the Grand Stand,
betting grounds and inner space were packed with people, so much so that
navigation was almost impossible; the inner field was full of people and
vehicles and the crowd lining the inner fence extended from the head of
the stretch down past the Grand Stand and for an eighth of a mile around
the first turn.
The Derby was a fairly good race, as the track was slower than many
supposed. In our issue of last week we selected Banburg, Jacobin and Jim
Gore as the three placed horses, and at the same time stated that the form
shown by Montrose at Lexington was not his true form, but was unable to
say what was the matter with the colt. We expressed the opinion that we
thought Jim Gore would win the Derby if he did not break down in the race,
and unfortunately his leg gave away at the half mile pole, so his jockey,
Fitzpatrick, stated, and that he could not have lost the race except for
the accident. Banburg could not extend himself in the race to-day; he
neither had speed or bottom, from some cause, and did not begin to show
the form he did at Lexington in the Phoenix Stakes. Montrose took the lead
as the lot entered the main stretch, and was never afterwards headed.
Taken as a lot the Derby colts this season were inferior to last year,
save and except Jim Gore, who is a real grand young horse, who struggled
gamely and finished second, after breaking down a half mile away from the
finish.
The start was a beautiful one, Jacobin in the lead, Ban Yan second,
Banburg third, followed by Jim Gore, Clarion, Montrose and Pendennis.
Entering the stretch Montrose led a length, Ban Yan second, Banburg third,
rest bunched. Passing the stand Montrose led a length, Ban Yan second,
Banburg third, Jacobin, Jim Gore, Clarion and Pendennis following in close
order. No change at the quarter, but at the half Banburg took second
place, and they went around the turn pretty closely bunched, Montrose
still leading a length. Entering the stretch Montrose still led; Jim Gore
who was seen to falter at the half rallied and took second place as they
entered the stretch, but was never able to get on even terms with Montrose
who held his lead, and won by a length and a half, Jim Gore second a
length in front of Jacobin third same in front of Banburg fourth, Clarion
fifth, Ban Yan sixth, Pendennis beaten a hundred yards, seventh. First
half mile 52, first mile 1:45-1/2, race 2:39-1/4.