In the presence of the greatest crowd that ever thronged Churchill Downs
and over a track fetlock deep in mud, Willis Sharpe Kilmer's chestnut
gelding Exterminator, saddled by Henry McDaniel, and capably ridden by W.
Knapp, scored an easy victory over seven other good three-year olds in the
forty-fourth running of the Kentucky Derby this afternoon. Kenneth D.
Alexander's crack Broomstick colt, Escoba, ridden by Joe Notter, finished
second, a length back of the winner and eight lengths in front of Viva
America, the only filly that started in the race. A. K. Macomber's
imported War Cloud, a heavy favorite in the speculation and which would
have paid a little less than three to two, had he won, was never a serious
factor and finished fourth, beaten all of the way.
The winner was given but scant consideration by the bettors, being the
least regarded of the eight that made up the field after Aurum and Jim
Heffering had been withdrawn. Exterminator paid his backers the handsome
odds of nearly thirty to one and in winning upset all calculations and
brought consternation to the ranks of the form players, who went to War
Cloud with rare confidence.
It was after five o'clock when the bugle called the horses to the post for
the Derby, in which a big surprise was in store for the spectators. Every
inch of space in clubhouse and grandstand was taken, while a solid mass of
humanity lined the lawns a quarter of a mile long, extending from
clubhouse to the quarter pole, almost to the head of the homestretch. The
procession of eight sleek thoroughbreds, trained to the minute, led by the
outrider on a gray horse, garbed in a fiery jacket, made an imposing
picture. The gay silks of the jockeys with the verdant field for a
background, gave just the right touch of color to the scene. Down past
the grandstand and clubhouse they pranced, with Escoba in the lead,
closely followed by the others. At sight of the dark blue and white
sleeves of Mr. Alexander, worn by Escoba's rider, faint cheers rippled
along the fringe of the crowd that lined the rail, and which was turned
into a noisy demonstration as War Cloud, the favorite, came in sight. They
reached the post at 5:19, and it took Starter Dade but a brief time to get
them in alignment. In exactly two minutes he sprung the barrier, and,
shouting, "Come on," sent the eight horses away on their history-making
journey. Viva America was the first to show in front after a few strides,
and was closely followed by Sewell Combs and Escoba.
As they thundered past the stand for the first time, the Worthington filly
was still in the lead, with Sewell Combs and Escoba running neck and neck
to her rear. Exterminator was lying in fourth position, while Lucky B.,
American Eagle, War Cloud and Jas. T. Clark were running abreast not far
behind. There was very little change in the running positions as the field
swung into the backstretch, except that the leader was beginning to show
the strain of pacemaking. As they reached the half-mile pole backers of
War Cloud implored Loftus to move up and for a moment it appeared that the
rider had heard the cry across the field and was making an effort to
comply. The English-bred horse, however, showed clearly that the task was
too much for him, for despite his rider's vigorous efforts he could not
get within hailing distance of the leaders. Rounding the far turn Viva
America was ready to cry quits and Escoba, after shaking off Sewell Combs,
forged ahead. If Notter, who was aboard of Escoba, exulted over the
advantage gained, he was soon doomed to disappointment, for Knapp had gone
to work on Exterminator, and under keen urging the Kilmer gelding rushed
forward and was on even terms with the Alexander colt as they straightened
out for the last gruelling drive. After a brief struggle, Exterminator
shook off his doughty antagonist and drawing clear in the last eighth, won
in a mild drive in 2:10-4/5. Escoba had practically no opposition for the
place. Viva America beat War Cloud four lengths for third money. Sewell
Combs ran a good race, but tired chasing the leader in the first
seven-eighths. Lucky B., which was supposed to be partial to the heavy
track, ran far below expectations. American Eagle and Jas. T. Clark also
ran below par and might just as well not have been started. War Cloud
showed a very poor effort, due probably to the fact that he did not like
the kind of mud that prevailed to-day.
The winner's portion of the stake amounted to $14,700. The second horse's
share was $2,500, and the third horse, $1,000. By finishing fourth War
Cloud saved his owner nominating and starting fees.
Exterminator and his rider were roundly applauded upon their return to the
stand. Mr. Kilmer, who watched the race with Mrs. Kilmer from a box, was
called into the judges' box and warmly congratulated by Gov. A. O.
Stanley, while the floral wreath was placed around the neck of the winner.
The morning dawned bright and clear, but shortly after 7 o'clock the sky
became overcast and by 8:30 the rain was pouring down. It was steady and
heavy until shortly after 1 o'clock when it ceased and there was an
occasional feeble attempt of the sun to kiss away the dampness on stand
and lawns and rye-grown infield of verdant Churchill Downs, but it was all
to no purpose, for the country's most classical race was decided over the
muddiest course for any Derby since that won by Worth in 1912.
As the horses came from the paddock onto the track in parade to the post
for the opening race, the band struck up the national anthem, and at the
same time the stars and stripes were run up to the top of the tall flag
mast in the center field. Everyone stood--the soldiers, who had come in
goodly numbers from Camp Zachary Taylor, at attention, and the male
civilians, with their heads uncovered. Two of the jockeys, Frank Murphy
and Lee Mink, took off their caps when they heard the strains of "The Star
Spangled Banner," and saw "Old Glory," floating to the breeze, a
resplendent guarantee to the freedom of the nation and earnest evidence
that our fighting forces and their allies will make the world safe for
democracy. And just at the moment of the good old flag's ascendancy the
sun shone out from behind the vanishing clouds until it was bright enough
to cast shadows from the trees and shrubs upon the lawn.
In the spring of 1914 Joseph Knight made arrangements to breed three of
his mother's mares to McGee on shares. Mr. Moore was to have the pick of
the mares owned by Mr. Knight's mother. Fair Empress was one of the mares
selected by Mr. Moore to breed to McGee and Exterminator was foaled on May
30, 1915. He was sold as a yearling at Saratoga by the Powers-Hunter
Company to J. C. Milam for $1,500. Mr. Milam broke him and developed him,
and last year won $1,350 with him, and this month, during the Lexington
meeting, sold him to Mr. Kilmer for a price reported to have been in the
vicinity of $10,000.
The Kentucky Derby; one mile and a quarter; for three-year olds; $15,000
added; net value to the winner $14,700; $2,500 to second; $1,000 to third;
$275 to fourth. Fractional time--0:24-1/5, 0:49-1/5, 1:16-1/5, 1:43-3/5,
2:10-4/5. Went to the post at 5:19 p. m. Off at 5:21.
Starters Weights St. 1/4 1/2 3/4 S. F.
Exterminator, 114 W. Knapp 5 5 1 4-1/2 1 h 2 4 1 1
Escoba, 117 J. Notter 2 3 1-1/2 2 h 2 1 1 h 2 8
Viva America, 113 W. Warrington 1 1 1-1/2 1 1-1/2 3 4 3 2 3 4
War Cloud, 117 J. Loftus 7 4 h 5 2 4 4 4 3 4 2
Lucky B., 117 J. McCabe 4 6 h 7 8 5-1/2 5 6 5 6
Jas. T. Clark, 117 J. Morys 8 7 3 6 3 7 6 7 3 6 12
Sewell Combs, 117 L. Gentry 3 2nk 3 1 6 2 6-1/2 7 1
American Eagle, 117 E. Sande 6 8 8 8 8 8
The $2 mutuels paid: Exterminator, straight $61.20, place $23.10, show
$12.40; Escoba, place $4.90, show $4.60; Viva America, show $13.20.
Start good. Won handily; place driving. Winner, ch g, 3, by McGee--Fair
Empress. Trainer H. McDaniel.