Seldom in the history of Churchill Downs has there been a prettier start
in the Derby than that of to-day. At the post less than a minute, the
horses wheeled in perfect alignment and were away like a shot. Jimmie Gill
had a momentary advantage, but was headed by Ten Point in a flash and the
big Easterner passed the stand for the first time two lengths to the good.
Foundation was in second place, with Yankee Notions third, and Leochares
the Gowell close up, and Jimmie Gill by this time a trailer.
Ten Point was rank and Buxton had difficulty restraining him in the next
quarter, causing him to go the first half in 0:47-4/5 and adding another
length's advantage over the others. Foundation was still in second place,
and Yankee Notions, running well within himself, half a length away, with
Gowell fourth next the inner rail. Donerail, on which Goose was riding a
perfect race, was beginning to steel up in steady fashion. Gowell was
given bungling handling by the diminutive McCabe and was also suffering
from bumping. Leochares was thoroughly done for after the first half, and
Lord Marshall and Jimmie Gill were also out of it to all intents and
dropped rearward steadily. There was a general closing up by the first
five in the next quarter, but Ten Point still held to a slight lead until
the stretch turn was reached, where Buxton found his mount wavering and he
began using his whip. At this time Yankee Notions was passing Foundation,
and the supporters of the Knapp representative gave a shout of joy, for it
was expected by them if Yankee Notions got to Ten Point before the stretch
turn he would make short shift of the favorite in the battle to the
finish.
Unexpectedly, Yankee Notions weakened just when his chances appeared best
and the Ten Point supporters again took heart, but their hopes went
glimmering shortly after when Donerail shot out of the bunch and headed
the others in the last furlong. In the final drive Donerail easily held
his own. Ten Point and Foundation were struggling gamely for the place at
the last furlong post when the colt seemed to bore over a trifle. In the
last sixteenth Foundation began weakening and Ten Point managed to get
clear of him, but another menace loomed up for place honors in the shape
of Gowell, though he succeeded in passing the finishing line in advance of
her. Foundation was fourth and Yankee Notions fifth, the rest were distant
trailers, with Leochares the whipper in.
A warm reception awaited the winner when the boy returned to the judges'
stand to weigh in. Jockey R. Goose was probably happier than Owner T. P.
Hayes.
It devolved on Governor James B. McCreary to present Jockey Goose with the
bouquet of flowers given by the New Louisville Jockey Club to the winning
jockey of the day. He said:
"Young man, I congratulate you. The highest compliment that any person can
receive in life is that of success. You have met with great success
to-day and are deserving of the honor now bestowed upon you. You were on a
gallant horse and you rode a brilliant race."
Jockey Goose, in reply, bashfully said:
"Governor, I more than appreciate your compliment. I regard it as the
greatest afternoon in my whole life for the reason that I was born and
reared in Louisville and I have won Louisville's greatest race. I will
never forget this day as long as I live. I will say for my mount that he
did all I asked of him throughout the race. He held his position well in
the early part and finished staunch and game when I called on him in the
stretch. While I rode him to the best of my ability, I was on a good horse
to-day."