Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-24
THE AMERICAN DERBY.
Spokane Sets the Seal Upon His Claim to
observation-disclosures Knott Defeated.

At Washington Park, Chicago, Saturday, the
rivals, Spokane and Proctor Knott, for the third
time faced the flag together, and with them
were five other feet racers-the very cream OF
LAT horses originally nominated for the great
tbree-year-old prize of the American Derby.
Forty thousand people, it is estimated, thronged
the Washington Park grounds to witness the
race, which was all exciting one because the ire.
mendous crowd made it SO. No great show
was made in the preliminary parade, in which
each Of the contestants looked fit to compete
for the valuable stakes.
Sorrento was first on the track with Taral in
the saddle. Then Proctor Knott with Fitzpat-
rick appeared and was followed by Long Dance
(Barnes), San Jose (WinchelD, Retrieve q.
Lewis, and Once Again (Murphy). Last came
Spokane, whom Tom kiley allowed to lope past
the cheering crowd to the post. During the
three breakaways Proctor Knott was in front
each time, plainly showing that Bryant's disap-
pointment was to be the pace-maker. When
the flag fell to an excellent start Once Again
was in front, followed by Sorrento, Don Jose
Proctor Knott, Long Dance, Retrieve, and
Spokane In the order named. The Dare
Devil Immediately piled the whip and Knott
shot ahead, Once Again being taken back by
Murphy. The pace was fairly fast and ali
seemed content with their positions, which
down the stretch and past the stand were not
changed, except that Tor a moment Don Jose
made squirt. Knott had an advantage of two
lengths over the others, who were well punched,
with Spokane bringing up the rear under
kileys strong pull. Past the clubhouse Knott
lost some Of his lead. and at the three-a uar ter
pole Sorrento was one and half lengths be-
hind the leader and one-third that distance be-
fore Don Jose. Then, as Fitzpatrick let out q
link. all moved up and the pace improved.
When tho half mile mark fell behind the
racers there was just daylight between Knott
and Retrieve, who had come up in the rush,
while Don Jose was third and Spokane fourth
Long Dance and Once Again were practically
out of the chase. Sorrento, who had been run
ming easily in second place all along, was cut
oil on the turn, and while making for the
stretch was actually last. Then Taral pulled
the Californian to the outside, and drew I'D to
the leaders SO rapidly that his hackers trem-
bled for joy. AS the home stretch was touched
he was second again to Proctor Knott but
there the Futurity winner gave out and Spo-
kane made his run. So fast did he come that
at the last quarter he was actually leading,
while Knott had already fallen into third place.
Retrieve dividing the pair. Again Sorrento
advanced gamely, but, though stronger than
those behind. could not disturb Spokane, who
came away under Kiley's appraised hand. but
without tasting whip or spur, and won very
easily by a full length. Sorrento was second
q head before Retrieve. followed by Don Jose
Long Dance, Once Again aud Proctor Knott
The latter, cut up and very tired, stopped q,
the saddling paddock, and was taken to his
stable.
Spokane went to the post heavy favorite al
to 8. The closing odds about Knott were z
to !; Don Jose. to 1; Once Again, 6 to /; Sor-
rento, to l; Long Dance and Retrieve, 80 to ]
each.