The Kentucky Derby is over and Ben Brush wears the crown, but his victory
was obtained only by the narrowest of margins, and while his neck was
clothed with flowers after the race, his sides were sore and bleeding from
the marks of the spur, and his giant muscles ached as they never did
before. Simms gave him the garlands, Ben Eder caused the other things. Ah!
it was a "hoss-race!" Such a field of three-year olds had not met since
the old standard of Spokane-Proctor Knott Derby, in which Once Again,
Bootmaker, Hindoocraft, Cassius, Sportsman and Outbound followed behind
the fighting leaders. And in the finish of the race to-day there was the
same desperate, hair-raising finish, which marked that most famous of
Derbies. Ben Brush was all out. Not only that but he needed all of the
skill and strength and vim of a jockey famous on two continents to help
his quivering nostrils first under the wire. And withal he is the best
horse in the race. Not that Ben Eder with jockeys changed might not and
probably would have won, but it was a matter of condition. Ben Eder was
fit to a hair. Made fit in the only way to secure perfect condition, i. e.
in actual racing, and McGuigan, after three months of constant care and
thought, brought him to the post as exquisitely adapted for this
particular race as any modiste fitted a Worth gown to a Parisian belle.
There is now no doubt that all of Ben Eder's "prep" and races down the
line were made with an eye single to this one race. And how artistically
Bill McGuigan managed it. Always racing, yet taking on no penalty, and yet
thanks to Lady Inez the only genuine "Umbrella" McGuigan still took down
the money. Then came the time when Lady Inez would no longer do. The
finishing touches must be given; the razor edge put on. This was done, and
when Ben Eder cut a hair at Nashville his trainer knew he was ready and
that in the Kentucky Derby Ben Eder would race the race of his life. And
he did. He will never run a better one, perhaps, while Ben Brush will.
This is the difference.
Ben Brush, on the other hand, was in his first race of the season, and
while he was by no means much too "high" and out of condition, still he
had a host of other engagements up the line, some of them far richer in
money than the Kentucky Derby. Ten thousand seemed to await him at Oakley,
$12,000 at Latonia and $20,000 at St. Louis and Mr. Dwyer is not a
sentimental man. His trainer could not afford to have Ben Brush too fine,
and when the struggle came with Ben Eder the Bramble colt had only his
class in his favor, and this was supplemented by Simms.
It is true there were many spectators who honestly believe that Ben Eder
won, but the obstruction offered by the judges' box makes it impossible
for anybody but the judges or those in the timers' stand to tell, and
there seems no doubt, from the statements of those in these positions,
that Simms (as a great jockey will) saved just one more effort in Ben
Brush and using it in the last desperate leap, shot the hair on his nose
in front of his shorter whiskered opponent.
Then too, there must be considered in estimating a popular verdict the
natural and noble disposition to cheer the under dog when he gains an
advantage and the sportsmanlike instinct to see an overwhelming favorite
beaten.
First Mate ran like the flashy cur that he showed himself to be in all of
his races. He will likely do in shorter contests or in which he can
overwhelm his opponents by a bust of his speed, but nature obviously
designed him for the role of a gentleman's saddle horse, in which he can
show high head and flaming tail in harmless curvetting, which will not be
taken as a challenge to battle--at which his soul sickens.
The surprise was in the awful performance of Ulysses. Those who had seen
the colt work did not like his going, but in the name of wonder what was
"Brown Dick" thinking of to throw away that hundred starting money on a
dog which may not win it back in his whole year's campaign. Surely a
trainer like "Dick" could not have been so deceived. I am of the opinion
that irresistible Secretary Price buncoed "Dick" into starting a colt who
had no more pretentions to being a Derby horse than honest "Dick" has of
being a dude.
Semper Ego somewhat redeemed himself for his poor showing at Lexington,
and may be dangerous to some of the cracks yet, and The Dragon ran his
usual good, honest race, doing the best that is in him. Parson and The
Winner had no business in the Derby and nobody thought they had, but
probably only started as a compliment to a very popular track management.
With the aid of the form sheet below the story of the race is soon told.
The Dill starting machine, which resembles that of Curly Brown and is the
work of a Louisville man was used in all the races except the Derby, but
in the big race Col. Chinn used the old flag flat-footed and unaided.
There were several break-a-ways in all of which Ben Brush was prominent,
and which were principally caused by First Mate's fiery desire to run.
Incidently, it was comical to see what a difference was presented by this
degenerate son of Shipmate when he reached the same spot again after going
once around the yellow circle. Then he wanted to lay right down and be put
to bed. He never cared if he never saw another horserace as long as he
lived and his craven heart called loudly for action by the humane society
forbidding the use of spurs.
They were finally off with Ben Eder in the lead, but First Mate shot to
the front at once and nearly pulling Thorpe's arms from their sockets set
a merry clip past the stand, down the back stretch and around to the next
turn. Ben Brush had not been lagging, but with Simms almost urging the
sluggish colt had been laying up in fourth position. At the turn from the
back stretch Simms leaned far over his mount's neck and urged him to the
front. He soon overhauled First Mate, who had not thought the race would
be so long, and turned in for home with a good lead and the race
apparently already won. But the white face of Ben Eder had followed him
through like a ghost and was coming on the outside like a flash of light.
Running free and strong this true son of Fonso showed the heritage of a
Derby winning sire. The family prestige must be maintained and he bid fair
to do it. For one fleeting instant the white face showed before the red.
But Ben Brush, too, came from an unconquered race and the blood of Bramble
and old Bonnie Scotland surged through his veins as responding to the
touch of steel his extended nose was thrust again an inch in front. Then
Tabor made the mistake of his life. His horse was running true and
comparatively fresh. The spurt of Ben Brush was only a spasmodic effort.
He would have come back before the wire was reached. But Tabor reached for
his whip and Ben Eder losing his jockey's aid faltered a trifle. It was
now a battle of jockeys. Both urged their mounts with whip and spur, but
Tabor was riding all over his horse while Simms lifted his mount at every
stride. On they came nose and nose until with an expiring effort Simms
struck the wire first. It was probably the only point in the last fifty
yards at which a difference could be detected between the two horses.
The crowd was such as only a great race can bring out and then only in
Kentucky. The railroads and steamboats from all directions poured
thousands of people into the city and vehicles of every description from
carriages to spring wagons kept up a steady procession out the driveways
to the track, while an endless chain of street cars discharged their
human freight at the jockey club gates. Over ten thousand people are
officially reported to have paid admission, while thousands of ladies and
complimented visitors doubtless brought the attendance up to the 15,000
mark. The stands and tall steps were packed and the crowd stood thick all
along the broad space between the track and stand and extended down to the
fence beyond the betting shed. A feature was the social prominence given
the occasion and reminded one of the old times when Col. Clark set the
fashion in Louisville and led the way on his tally-ho to the races.
The Courier-Journal gives the following statements from the judges:
"It was a great race--one of the greatest I ever saw. We can not but
regret, however, that Mr. McGuigan did not have a jockey who could do his
colt justice. With an exchange of riders Ben Brush would certainly have
been beaten to-day. He is a race horse of the highest class, however, and
I think this race will do him much good. There was no doubt in the world
about the finish. Simms simply lifted Brush a foot or so in front at the
last jump."
For three-year-olds (foals of 1893), $5 to accompany the nomination; $15
to be paid May 1, 1895; $30 to be paid May 1, 1896; $100 additional to
start. The Club to guarantee the value of the stakes to be $6,000, of
which $700 to second and $300 to third. Colts to carry 122 pounds;
geldings (at time of starting) 119 pounds; fillies 117 pounds. Those not
having won a race for three-year-olds (without respect to sex) of the
value of $1,500 allowed 5 pounds; maidens, 10 pounds. One mile and a
quarter. 171 nominations.
Index Starters Jockeys St. 1/2 3/4 S. F. Betting
Ben Brush, 117 Simms 2 4 4 1 h 1 n 1 to 2
Ben Eder, 117 Tabor 1 4 5 2 1 2 8 12 to 1
Semper Ego, 117 Perkins 3 2 3 4 2 3 8 9 to 1
First Mate, 117 Thorpe 6 1 1 3 h 4 4 5 to 1
The Dragon, 117 Overton 8 6 5 5 2 5 4 20 to 1
Parson, 109 Britton 7 7 7 7 6-1/2 50 to 1
The Winner, 117 Walker 4 3 2 6 7 30 to 1
Ulysses, 117 R. Williams 6 8 8 8 8 8 to 1
Time at post 20 minutes; start good; won in a fierce drive. M. F. Dwyer's
b c Ben Brush, by Bramble--Roseville. Hot Springs Stable's b c Ben Eder,
by Fonso--Workmate. Fractional Time--:25, :49-1/2, 1:15-1/2, 1:42,
2:07-3/4