Kentucky is happy. The Kentucky Derby on Wednesday last was won by a
Kentucky horse, bred, owned and trained, while Memphis and the Southern
talent are clothed in sackcloth and ashes. The gallant Plaudit lowered the
colors of the hitherto invincible Lieber Karl.
The day of the great event opened gloomy and showery, and the weather,
therefore, reduced the crowd which would have otherwise been perhaps the
greatest in the history of this famous race. Before the races began,
however, the rain ceased and a brilliant assembly saw the 24th Kentucky
Derby, and even in numbers the crowd suffered little in comparison with
previous Derby Days, from ten to fifteen thousand people being present.
The track had been deep in dust, and the light showers of the morning made
the track a little slow and soggy, but by no means sloppy or muddy.
Col. M. Lewis Clark was presiding judge and Secretary Price his associate.
Thirteen bookmakers were in line and there was business for twenty.
Lieber Karl's Memphis performances had made him the hottest tip that in
recent years has started for the Derby. Although all of the trainers at
Louisville had been confident that Plaudit would win the Derby, as shown
in the reports of the Louisville correspondent of The Record, the Memphis
tip was brought up so hot and strong by the Southern delegation, that,
with few exceptions, Plaudit's sturdiest friends succumbed and sadly
concluded that after all the Memphis Hindoo would beat their pet. The most
notable exceptions were Dr. J. D. Neet, who bred Plaudit and who was there
to pull for the colt; "Brown Dick," who trained him as a two-year-old, and
Willie Simms, who was to ride him. Albert Simons, his trainer, felt the
responsibility too keenly to commit himself to an expression of opinion
and John E. Madden, the owner, had gone to New York two days before with
Plaudit's half brother Glenheim, of which he is said to have a higher
opinion of even than Plaudit. Major Thomas, who owned Himyar when Plaudit
was sired, did not come down from his Lexington home to see the great son
of his great sire perform.
The bookies had nearly all come from Memphis, and were thoroughly imbued
with the belief that no horse on earth could beat Lieber Karl, and that
every dollar they bet against him was thrown away. Hence they tentatively
put up 9 to 20 Lieber Karl and 2 to 1 Plaudit. This was soon changed to 7
to 20 Lieber Karl and 2-1/2 to 1 and 3 to 1 Plaudit, and 2 to 1 the field
against Karl. As the other two starters--Isabey and Han d'Or--were
considered to have no earthly show for first money the bulk of the money
was forced on Plaudit by the prohibitive price on Karl, and the bookies
were probably losers by the race, although Mr. Schorr was said to have bet
heavily on his colt.
Karl is an impressive looking fellow, with a high-headed, dashing way of
going, and duly impressed the spectators as he worked by the stand. He is
a handsome horse, much resembling in appearance and gait Typhoon II and
First Mate. Plaudit, on the other hand, though more blood-like, is the
least imposing looking of all Cinderella's great sons and is withal a
sluggish racer. He has, however, a clean, low frictionless stride far
preferable to the high sweeping action of his rival, and his clean-cut
thoroughbred lines and splendid chest indicated that he had both gameness
and stamina.
There was little delay at the post, and when the flag fell Lieber Karl at
once shot to the front, and came by the stand like a wild horse, with
Burns pulling with might and main and keeping the rank colt well within
himself. Plaudit was on the outside and running last, but easily, and the
others right on the flying Karl's heels. Simms sent Plaudit forward, and
when the back stretch was reached his red jacket flashed in front of
Isabey and Han d'Or, who were never noticed again in the race. Lieber Karl
was still running like a locomotive, but Simms set sail for him and before
the middle of the back stretch was reached had his head at the leader's
flanks and held his place, though he seemed to be extended, while Karl was
apparently well in hand. As they struck the next turn Plaudit made a move
to go up but Burns let out a link and Karl shot away. Simms began to ride,
however, and the sluggish Plaudit, as if waiting to be called on, held his
own at Lieber Karl's tail. Straightened into the run home Simms drew his
whip and at the first touch of the lash Plaudit shot forward and slowly
drew up to his rival's head, and at the last eighth pole they were on even
terms. Karl for the first time this season had been collared. Not till
then did Burns begin to urge his mount, and soon the catgut was raising
welts upon Karl's heaving sides, while Simms was vigorously plying the
lash to Plaudit. It was a desperate duel for a few strides, and then
Plaudit gamely responding drew away and the race was over. Lieber Karl was
all out, and while Simms rode the sluggish Plaudit to the end, he no
longer needed the lash and finished with something to spare by a full
length.
When the winner trotted back to the stand, the heartiest ovation tendered
a Derby winner in recent years was given him. The crowd surged through the
gates and over the fence and it was necessary to call a policeman to keep
the enthusiastic crowd from the horse's heels. A wreath of red roses was
placed about the victor's neck, and as he was led before the stand the
crowd--ladies and all--arose and cheered the hero to the echo.
Kentucky Derby; for three-year-olds; guaranteed value $6,000. 1 mile and a
quarter.
Index Starters Jockeys St. 1/2 3/4 S. F. Betting
Plaudit, 117 Simms 3 2 4 2 8 2 8 1 1 3 to 1
(740) Lieber Karl, 122 Burns 2 1-3/4 1 2 1-1/2 2 20 1 to 3
191 Isabey, 117 Knapp 1 3 h 3-1/2 3nk 3 3 12 to 1
Han d'Or, 117 Conley 4 4 4 4 4 25 to 1
Start good; won driving.
Post 4 minutes. Lieber Karl was rank and Burns had him under a stout pull
to the head of the stretch; he tired badly in the last furlong. Fractional
time--0:25-1/2, O:50-1/2, 1:17, 1:30, 1:43-1/2, 1:55-3/4, 209.
J. E. Madden's br c Plaudit, by Himyar, imp. Cinderella.