The Kentucky Derby this year went to a Lexington owned and trained horse.
Halma, the black son of Hanover and Julia L., owned and trained by Byron
McClelland and ridden by Perkins, won the classic event Monday, in the
easiest kind of style, going the mile and a half journey in 2:37-1/2. It
was the slowest race of the day, and it looked like Halma could have gone
the distance at least a second and a half faster had he been pushed to it.
The association was especially favored with good weather Monday, and a
lovelier day for racing could hardly have been made to order.
The story of the Derby is quickly told as there were no sensational
features about it. Only four horses started, Halma, Basso, Laureate and
Curator. Halma was a 2 to 5 favorite, but even at this short price he was
pretty heavily backed. Mr. Nick Finzer's colt Laureate, was heavily played
for the place at 3 to 5, especially by the Louisville contingent, who were
patriotic and backed their home horse for the position at the finish that
seemed possible for him to obtain. Basso was held for the place at about
the same price as Laureate, and the Chicago owned horse was pretty heavily
played for the place. The matter of starting the field of four was soon
disposed of and the quartet went off well together. Curator took the lead
and quickly separated himself from his companions, holding the lead for
nearly half a mile, but only on sufference. Coming near the wire for the
first time, Halma took the lead, and to make the story short, held it
easily to the end. Basso trailed all the way until entering the stretch
for the final home run when he came up and challenged Laureate who had
been in second place since the end of the first half mile. Basso took
second position half way down the stretch and thus they finished, Halma
easily by three lengths, Basso second by a length and Laureate third by
five lengths.
The Kentucky Derby, for three-year old colts and fillies (foals of 1892);
$5 to accompany the nomination; $10 to be paid May 1, 1894; $20 to be paid
May 1, 1895; $100 additional to start, with $2,500 added, of which $300 to
second and $150 to third; fourth to save stake. One mile and a half.
B. McClelland's blk c Halma, 3, by Hanover, Julia L; 122 lbs., 1 to
3, Perkins 1
C. H. Smith's b c Basso, 3, by Falsetto, Ethelda; 122 lbs., 9 to 2,
Martin 2
Pastime Stable's ch g Laureate, 3, by Volante, imp. Laurel; 122
lbs., 5 to 1, A. Clayton 3
Bashford Manor Stable's b c Curator, 3, by Alarm, Katie Creel; 122
lbs., 20 to 1, Overton 0