Los Angeles herald., 1890-05-15
RUN IN THE MUD.
The Slowest Kentucky Derby
on Record.
Won by Riley by the Skill of
Ike Murphy.
Bill Letcher Second = RObespierre
Third-Time 2 AS.
Opening of the Louisiana Spring Meeting.
Great Crowds-Lively Betting.
Oceans of Mud.
Associated Press Dispatches. |

Associated Press Dispatches.
LOUISVILLE, May 14.-The features of
the opening day of the spring meeting
OF the Louisville Jockey Club, were
great crowds, some very lively though
not heavy betting, and mud, and then
the Kentucky derby was run in the
slowest time on record. 1t rained heav-
lily all night and until 10 O'Clock this
morning. At 2 O'Clock the heavens were
clear, and when the bell called for the
first race, fully twenty thousand people
were present. While the bets placed by
individuals were not heavy, except in a
few instances, the aggregate of money
that changed hands was very great. A
good many were unable to place their
money as the jam was 50 great. The
track was slushy at the opening The
slightest canter scattered mud for several
feet on either side, and with every great
bound in running mud and water were
dashed yards away in every direction
AS the racing progressed the mud dried
little and became more sticky.
Initial Events.
Five furlongs, 2-year-olds-Grandpa
won, Liberty Bell second, General Cald-
well third; time, :O71a.
Mile, all ages-Uncle Bob won, Clock
ner second, Warpeak third time, :464.
The Derby.
Next came the derby, and Riley won
it. None of the other five could touch
him on that muddy track, and it is
doubtful, even, if Bill Letcher. who was
alone proved to be of the same class,
could have pushed the great son of
Longfellow over dry track. Isaac
Murphy's riding was superb. The occa-
sion required jockey who could keep
his horse in hand and prevent his killing
himself by running away. Murphy did
this admirably He had his horse under
complete control throughout. He held
him back to let the others set the pace
through the mud, kept the way open
before him to take advantage OF every
favor the dreadful track offered, and win
the race.
The Entries.
There were six starters-Riley (Mur-
phy), Prince Fonso (Overton), Palisade
(Britton), Bill Letcher (Allen), Robes
pierre (Francis), Outlook (Breckin-
ridge).
Following was the pooling in the
morning: Robespierre, $40, Riley. $25;
Prince Fonso, $40; Bill Letcher, SIS;
Palisade, $40; Outlook, $5. w. g. Nor
ris and Rosemeade were scratched.
The Race.
They were off at the first tap of the
drum, with Letcher in the lead, Pali-
sade second, Outlook third, others
punched. At the quarter Robespierre
led, Outlook second, Palisade third, 9TH
ers scattered. At the half Riley was
first by head in front of Robespierre.
AT the three-quarters Riley be-
gan his race and the rest be-
gan whipping for life. Riley went
to the frcnt, Bill Letcher second, Robes
pierre third, the rest struggling. In the
stretch Riley was two lengths in front of
Letcher and coming easily, and Robes
pierre third. Letcher then began to
come under q heavy whip, and for a
moment it looked like his race, but Muir
ply loosened the reins and Riley re-
sponded nobly, coming under the wire
the winner by length and three-quar-
ters, Robespierre a length behind
Letcher, Palisade back two lengths more
and Fonso nearly neck and neck with
him, and Outlook ten lengths in the rear.
Time, 2:45.
Concluding Event.
Three-quarter-mile heats, all ages
First heat, White Nose won, Lovelaid
second, Friendless third time, 1917.
Second heat-White Nose won, Love-
land second, Banner Bearer third; time,
/ 20.