Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-15
THE KENTUCKY DERBY.
a Great Crowd, Some Lively Betting, and
Mud.
tolecrnph to the rIspatch.l

LOUISVILLE. KY, May 14.-The, fen
tures of the opening day Of the
spring meeting Of the Louisville
Jockey Club were a great crowd. some
lively, though not particularly heavy. pet
ting, and mud; and then the kentucky
derby was run in the slowest time on
record. The nearest approach to 1t was III
1888. when Leonidas gallOped away Tom
Drake Carter and the rest in 2;i3. 1t ram
ed all night. continuing till 10 O'Clock tins
morning. Then the clouds began TO break
away and there were occasional .gllmpses
of the sun. The track was slush at the
onening. The slightest canter scattered
a Sion for several feet on either side. AS
the racing progressed the mud dried III,
tie and became more sticky. Inc lnltlal
event was afve-furlong dash for two-ycaT-
olds. Grandpa won; Liberty belle second
General Caldwell third. Time, l:OI2.
Second race-one mile, Uncle Bob won;
Gf0ckner second, Warpeak third. Time,
Then the Derby, and Riley won it, be-
cause he was a long way the best horse
started None of the other FIVE could
touch him on that muddy track, and 1t -
doubtful if Bill Letcher, who alone proved
to be in the same class, could have pushed
the great son of Longiellow even over
dry track.
The starters were Riley, Bill Letcher;
Robespiere. Palisade, Prince Fonso, and
Outlook. They finished IN the order
named. Time, 2:45.
Fourth e-quartcr-m lie heats.
First heat White Nose Won; Loyeland
second, Friendess third. Time, Ll94;
Second heat, White Nose won; Loveland
second. Banner-Bearer third Time, l;1O'
THE HEAVENS CLEAR.
At2 o'clock the heavens were clear and
the Derby track at Churchill Downs lay a
bright yellow ribbon glistening in the sun
shine. ThrOngs of people bad been crowd
inc the street-cars, and scores OF carriages
and vehicles of every description blocked
the way for hours. When the bell called
for the first race the stand, the area IN
front, and the betting-stands and teld, tree
on Derby day. were filled as never before.
Twenty thousand people were present.
There were more strangers than for many
wears. The Cincinnati and Lexington con-
finrents came in this morning, looking
much bedraggled by the ram, but they
were dried of and in high feather
at the track. The aggregate OF
money that changed hands was very
great The pool-room al the Louisville Ho-
tel was packed this morning, and though
there were twenty-five bookmakers at the
track and auction pools, the Jam was so
great that many were unable - place their
money. Whenever good odds went up
there would be a crush IN their dlrec tlon,
and only the strongest and most coura-
Ceous could push their way through and
secure tho advantage. There was not much
plunging owing TO the uncertainty OF the
principal event. but "A steady stream the
whole afternoon. All talk about Riley
being out of condition was nonsense. He
was never more lit. Clean OF limb, sound,
and strong, there was no sign of cough or
other indispOsition. His eye was clearand
bright, and he looked the winner.
MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSES.
Then there was Isaac Murphy's riding.
The occasion required u jockey who could
keep his horse in hand. Murphy did this
admirably. He had his horse under con-
troll throughout; held him back to let
others set the pace through the mud,
kept the way open before him to take ad-
vantage of every favor the deceittul track
offered and ready at the right moment to
make run and win the race. AT the
sharp turns beyond the stand and near the
fve-eighths pole Murphy rode his horse on
the inside track, saving two or three long
Jumps at each place and at the right mo-
ment came out on the high centre of the
track where the going was hghtest. Then
at the three quarters, coming home, he let
him out and came under the wire fresh
and strong, an easy winner. In contrast
with this was Robespierre's management
by little Francis. For some reason Just az
the last moment Riley. the trainer, was
taken off and Francis substituted. The
little jocky was unable TO control his morse
and 1t was o fight throughout, IN when
Robespierre would be sawed down ana
held back for few leaps only to take the
bit and run TO the front at pace that was
killing to his chances.
There we're six starters, as expected.
Riley with Murphy up was received Win
tremendous cheers, meant as much for the
rider as for the horse. Then came Prince
Ponso with Oyerton in the saddle, followed
IN order by Palisade, with Britton up; BIZ
Letcher, with Allen up; Robespierre, nd
den by Francis, and Outlook, ridden Dy
Breckenridge. Letcher and Robesplerre
were greeted with rounds of applause. AZ
the start, IN betting. Robesplerre was h3e
favorite, on even terms. Riley suddenly
dropped To four 10 one aud Letcher was ae
the same figure.
TIE HORSES OPP.
They cantered around to the half-mile
post opposite the stand, and were on AZ
the trst tap Of the drum, with Letcher IN
the lead, Palisade second, and Outlook ana
the Others punched. In the stretch kooe-
SPHERE led by half length, Outlook Sc
c.ond, Fonso third, and the Others close up
Az the quarter Robespierre still led, out
look second, Palisade third, and the others
scattered IN the rear. At the half Riley was
hrst by q head in fiont of Robesplerre'
but kept the lead only for twinkiing
Letcher third. Robespierre ran OUT,
making the race TO three quarters when
Riley began his race, and the rest began
whipping for life. Az once Riley went 20
the front length. Bill Letcher coming 20
second, leaving Robespierre third, ana the
rest struggling one, two, and three lengths