The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-15
THE KENTUCKY DERBY.
It Is Run in Slow Time in a Sea Of
Mud,

LOUISVILLE, Ky. May 1.-THE features
of the opening day OF the spring meeting
of the Louisville Jockey club were the
great crowd, some lively though not par
ticularly heavy betting, and the mud.
And then the Kentucky Derby was run in
the slowest time on record. The nearest
approach TO it was IN 1888, when LeOnatuS
gailoped away from Drake Carter and the
rest in 2:l3.
When the bell called for the first race,
the stand area in front, the betting stands
and the field, free on Derby day, were
filed as never before. Fully
twenty thousand people were present.
While the bets placed by individuals were
not heavy except in a few instances theag-
gregate of money that changed hands was
very great. The pool room at the Louis
vile hotel was packed full this morning,
and though there were twenty-five book
makers at the track and auction pools, the
jam was so great that many were unable
10 place their money. There was not
much plunging owing TO the uncertainty
of the principal event, but a steady stream
the whole afternoon.
The track was slush at the opening. The
slightest canter scattered slop for several
feet on either side and with every great
bound in running, mud and water were
dashed away in every direction. As the
racing progressed the mud dried q little
and became more sticky.
The initial event was five furlong dash
for 2-year-olds for a $400 purse. Starters:
Liberty Bell, General Caldwell, Nettie
Beatrice, HindOO Lass, Jay jay Gee,
Laura, Agnes, Grandpa and Valparaiso
In the betting Sanford and Jay Jay Gee
were 3 to I. General Caldwell, Beatrice
and Laura Agnes, TO l each and the rest
- to 30 to /. Grandpa won by two lengths,
Liberty Bell second, General Caldwell
third, Laura Agnes fourth, Nettie Bea-
fvi, l,-,.-- h.
Time, l:O1ls.
The second race was a $500 purse. one
mile, for all ages, seven starters, with
weights and betting as follows: Glockner
TO >, 122 (BrittOnl; Quarter Deck, - TO !.
~ (FoX); War Peak. 20 to l, 103 Smith:
Blue Maid, 70 to l, lbl(BrooksE Uncle Bob,
l3 10 l, 1lO ttllD; Eli, 10 to ]. 1O5 Allen,
and Queen Victoria, 10 10 /, l07 Boldly.
Uncle BobwOn, Quarter Deck second, War
Peak third.
Then the derby and Riley won it because
he was a long way the best horse started.
Then there was Isaac Murphy's riding
The occasion required Jockey who could
keep the horse in hand and prevent his
killing himself by running away. Murphy
did tins admirably. There were six
starters Us expected Riley with Cor
rigan'S green and white cleaning fresh
and clear was the first to show on the
track with Murphy up and was received
VIII bIttlltitilBilN cheering meant as lllCH
for the rider as the horse. Then came
Prince Fonso with Overton up in orange
and black, followed in order by PaliSade
with BrlttOn in the Melbourne stables
blue hoops and white cap, Bill Letcher
with Allen up, RObeSporre ridden by
Francis, and Outlook ridden by Brecken-
ridge. Letcher and Robespierre were
greeted with rounds of applause. At the
start in the betting Robespierre was q hot
1avorlte on even terms. Riley suddenly
dropped to four TO one, and Letcher was
at the same figure. They Cantered
leisurely around to the half mile
post opposite the stand as the
chute had been closed and were off at
the first tap OF the drum with Letcher in
the lead, PaliSade second. Outlook third.
the others punched. In the stretch Riley
was two lengths in front of Letcher and
coming easily and RobeSpierre third
Letcher then began to come under heavy
whip ana for q moment ii looked like his
race, but Murphy lOoSened his reins and
Riley responded nObiy. coming under the
wire handl.N winner 10y length and
three-quarters, RobeSpierre a length be
hind LeJcber. PalISade back two lengths
more and tOnS0 nearly neck and neck
with him and Outlook ten lengths in the
rear. Time 2:42
Post odds -Robespierre even. Riley . and
TO !. Bill Letchor 3 to l, Prince FonsO
TO !, PaliSade 10 TO !. Outlook 10 to l.
Fourth race-SellinE. all ages. Purse
$500, of which 500 10 second. so TO third.
Three quarters of a mile heats. Starters:
First beat. Mary h. Banner Bearer White
Nose. FriendlesS. i0yelaud. Nacaulev.
Electricity. OylenCed, Happiness u. B.
Freed. " hite Nose won. LoVeland second.
FricndlesS third. an others eNCepe Ban
ner and Mary X. dIStrnced Time 1Iat
Second he3t-W Llte Nose won. Love
land second, Banner Bearer third Time
1;20, FriendleSs was the favorite in betting.