The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-05-10
THE NEWS IN HELENA.

How Everybody Felt when the News Was
Received--Spokane's Record.
''It doesn't surprise me in the least, said
Green Preuitt yesterday, when the news
that Spokane had won the great Kentucky
Derby was received. "That horse was put
in the field a year ago 70 win that race" he
continued, land will win 500, 900 before
the season is over" Spokane is owned
by Noah Armstrong, who manages the
Montana Stable, which includes several
horses owned by Hundley & Preuitt. Mr..
Preuitt was about the most elated man in
town yesterday afternoon, and many times
was the health and prosperity of the Mon
tana stable drank to, at Mr.. Preuitt's ex-
pense. But he was not alone in feeling
good. The whole town was delighted, and
as men passed each other they were greet
ed with Whats the matter with Spokane ?''
or "Hurrah for Spokane
II was a great race and no mistake, and
Is the biggest feather that has ever been
placed in Montana's cap. The entire ter
ritoryof Montana rejOices at the news and
congratula'es the owner OF the now
fOaled in the territory three years ago.
IL was only in February, while Mr.. Arm
strong was here, he remarked: II may
not win it boys, but I'll get a place"
Spokane is a chestnut colt and was foaIed
at Mr.. Armstrong; ranch at Twin Bridges,
Madison county, in 1886 he was sired by
J. Il. Haggin's Hyder Ali. his dam being
InterpOse, a noble mare which Is at pres
eDt on the Twin Bridges farm. As two
year-Old Spokane was taken TO 81. Louis
where lie was exercised q little and was
sent 10 Memphis To winter He showed
his mettle at Nashville q couple Of weeks
az WI he II Second n n
mile dash. He was not entered 10 win,
however. When he was considered win
ner in the Kentucky Derby, leaving Proc
tor Knott out, IL was not supposed be stood
a ghost of a show alongside the famous
winner OF last years Futurity. But SpOk-
sne has proved himself the greatest three
year-Old on the American turf. His race
Was remarkable in many particulars. In
the hrst place, u beats all previous records
made in the Derby. lt was also remarks-
bic from the fact that at no previous time
were the weights 80 large on this Occa-
sioD- SpokaDe's time OF 2;343$ Is only half
second slower than the best record for a
mile and half. Those horses which have
done better are here given, but notice the
contrast In the weights.
Firenzi, 4 years. llS pounds, at Mon
mouth Park, Aug. z, lsSs- Time 2:34.
Luke Blackburn. 3 years, 102 pounds at
Monmouth Park, Aug. IL, 1880. Time Pa
Jim Guest, years, s. pounds. at Chica-
go, Washington Park. July "a 1856. Time
Z.4
Spokane carried IS pounds az a three
year-old, which makes his performance of
yesterday the greatest on record for the
same distaDce-mile and q half Last
years Kentucky Derby was worth 81. 74O
10 tee winner. This year its value Is placed
at S4550 but this Is instR-
nificant compared with the glory. Col. W.
b. Hundley and Noah Armstrong were
present at Louisville TO see Spokane stick
his nose first under the wire They were
not forgotten at home. however Secre-
tary Francis Pope sent the following tele-
gram upon the receipt Of the news, signed
oy President A. j. Davidson and himself:
"To Armstrong & Hundley. Race Track,
Louisville, KY: The Montana Agricultzr-
al, Min, raj and Mechanical association coz
gratulate you on SpOkane's success TO day.
This is q great year for Montana
Harpin Davies, OF this ", was among
the few who had abiding faith IN the abil-
ity of Spokane 70 best Proctor Knott, and
he Is none the loser by his Judgment as he
staked his all with ShOOkies" and won sew
ersl thousand dollars. John OCOnnor
was also interested in few books and is
consequently happy.
IL Is the general belief that SpOkane's
success yesterday has lost him 70 Montana.
IL 10 thought be will be purchased AZ good
hgnre BY some eastern horsemeD- He ie
entered for the Helena Derby. 20 come OF
here st the fall meeting Of the racing assO-