Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-23
THE SPEED RING.
Spokaue the yictor.

CHICAGO, June 22.-Forty-seven thousand
people paid their money at the gates OF
Washington park to-day, and then saw
Spokane win the American derby, worth
$4,000. Spokane had been favored by far
still, the other horses had their hackers.
Proctor Knott, though defeated on more
than one field, was not considered disgraced
and many thousand dollars were staked upon
his ability to win the race. Don Jose, too,
was also considered by many to stand every
bit as good chance as Spokane. There was
also string tip on Once Again.
AS the time of the race drew near the
noise made by the bookmakers grew louder
and louder, and odd were cried in vociferous
tones on every hand. The rush about the
betting booths was enormous, and hundreds
of people were unable to get within fifty
feet OF bookmaker. Spokane was hot
favorite at six to five, though large sums of
money were also oct on nearly every other
horse in the race. Nearly 81, ,000, 900 changed
hands at the result.
The race was an exciting one because the
tremendous crowd made it SO. There was
no great show in the preliminary parade, in
which each of the contestants looked fit to
compete for the valuable stakes Torrento
was the first on the track. Then Proctor
Knott appeared, and he was followed by
Long Dance, Don Jose, Retrieve and Once
Again. Last came Spokane. During the
three ak-aways Proctor Knott broke in
front each time. When the flag fell to an
excellent start Once Again was in front, fol-
lowed by Torrento, ID on Jose, Proctor Knott,
Long Dance, Retrieve and Spokane in the
order named.
The "Dare Devil" Immediately piled the
whip, and Knott shot ahead like a flash,
Once Again being taken back by Murphy.
The pace was fairly fast, and all seemed con-
tent with their positions, which, down the
stretch and past the stand were not changed,
except that for moment Don Jose made
spurt. Knott had an advantage of two
lengths over the others, who were well
the rear under Riley's strong pull.
Knott lost some of his lead,
and at the three-quarter pole Torento was
gaining. Then the pace became desperate.
When the half mile mark fell behind the
racers there was just daylight between Knott
and Retrieve, while the others, except Once
Again, cut off on the turn, and the Jockey,
pulling hitn to the outside, made up the lost
ground so RAPIDLY, that his hackers trembled
with Joy. AS the home stretch was reached
he was again second, but there Proctor Knott
gave out, and there Spokane made his run
So fast did he come that in rushing past
the last quarter, he was actually leading,
while Knott had already fallen into third
place. Again Torrento advanced, but
though stronger than those behind, could not
disturb Spokane who came away under
Kiley's upraised hand, but without tasting
whip or spur, and won very easily by full
Retrieve, third. followed by Don Jose, Long
Dance, Once Again and Proctor Knott. The
latter, cut up and very tired, stopped at the
paddock and was taken to his stable,
while the crowds hurrahed and the band
played as saddle OF roses was placed upon
the winners launches.
So much money came down from the
northwest that Spokane went to the park a
heavy favorite at six to five. The other clos
ing odds were two to one; Don Jose four to
one; Once Again, six to one; Forento, eight
to one; Long Dance and Retrieve. thirty to
one. each.
The official time of the Derby was 2:41I.
The summary of the other races is as fol-
lows:
One mile, three-year-olds and upwards
Marching won, Robnhood second, Leider-
isranz third. Time, l 40.
Three.fourths of a mile, all ages-Penn p.
won, Monita Hardy second, Van Tromp
third.
Mile and onesixteenth-Pat Donovan won,
st. Nick second, Vidette third. Time-1 :52
Five-eighths of mile, two, year -olds-Red-
light won. The judge mistook him for Bag
gage, and gave the race to that horse. plac-
ing Protection second and Sic Olee third.
Baggage actually finished next to the last.
Iime-l :O4L.