Stone Street, a despised outsider, carrying the blue jacket and white sash
of C. E. Hamilton, the popular Latonia turfman, and ridden by Jockey
Pickens, walked away with the thirty-fourth Kentucky Derby at Churchill
Downs on Tuesday, with the pride of Louisville, Sir Cleges, the public's
choice, in the place. The $5 mutuels paid $123.60. Three lengths in front
of the favorite, Stone Street crossed the wire a pretty tired horse, but
the others were more so. Sir Cleges got the place by a neck and Dunvegan
got third place by an eyelash from Synchronized, which was added at the
last moment. It was a clear-cut victory and an instance where condition
won over class. It was also an instance where a colt that was at home in
the going beat a better horse, which besides being a bit short, the
condition of the track precluding the chance to give him a final good
work, did not fancy the stick track, and labored all the way. Stone Street
by heritage comes of stout stock, his sire being Longstreet, son of
Longfellow, a family noted for endurance rather than speed.
After the bugle called the horses to the post there was not much time
wasted on instructing jockeys. Paddock Judge John Walsh called out: "Lead
out, Powers," and the eight Derby horses were on their way to parade past
the judges' stand and clubhouse and then to the post. There was no time
lost at the barrier, where Judge Will Shelley presided in the absence of
Jake Holtman.
The crowd rose as the horses swept past the stand, and when the field
reached the line the first time Banridge forged to the front, after
crowding Sir Cleges out. Stone Street was second. Dunvegan third and the
favorite fourth, with Frank Bird last of all. Around the lower turn they
went in the same order. When straightened out on the back stretch,
Banridge opened a streak of daylight on Stone Street, while Sir Cleges
passed Dunvegan. The rest of the field was not out of the running and it
was also noticeable that while Sir Cleges gained ground that it was with
an effort, as the colt was laboring and climbing. At the far turn,
Banridge's lead was cut down and Stone Street and Sir Cleges, the latter
under urging moved up on the leader. Round the stretch turn came Banridge
and at his heels were his relentless pursuers. Stone Street nailed him
when straight for the wire and the shout went up, "Sir Cleges is beaten."
Koerner was hard at work on him and he held his place with bulldog
courage, but the lack of condition was telling on him and Stone Street
which raced at New Orleans and was fit, drew away with ease and came under
the wire with his jockey sitting still. There was a bitter struggle for
the place and Sir Cleges secured this through the powerful finish of
Koerner, who never let up until the last two strides, when he had second
position safe. Synchronized and Dunvegan finished almost on a line a neck
behind the favorite and the latter got third place. Banridge was fifth
many lengths in front of Milford, which beat Bill Herron home for the
distinction of having finished sixth by a head and away back came Frank
Bird.