The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-21
WON WITHOUT
WHIP OR SPUR.
Strathmeath Captures the Great
Chicago Derby.
High Tariff Drops Dead on The HOmeStretCh.
Several Close Contests on Other
Race Tracks.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

can Derby of 1891. A scarlet fash on the
horizon, $1,000 people brsathless, a CLEAN of
white beneath the wire and the richest
stake race in the West was over. 1t was by
Strathmeath, New York's favorite, that the
battle was won. Half mile off, where
there had been the thickeSt of the fight,
High Tariff lay motionless on the track.
Tom Kiley. the gallant beasts rider, twice
Derby victor on that course, had this time
pushed the limit of equine endurance. There
was sudden plunge upward queer stagger
Of twenty yards and High Tariff sank down
into the mud lifeless. Whether in point of
horses, famous jockeys, magnifcence of
fashionable dsply and the marvellous out
pouring of people, as well as the sensational
incidents and bulky purse, probably no such
race was ever witnessed this side of the
AlleghenieS, certainly not in Chicago. No
one of the seven Derbys that in preceding
years have made Washington Para celeb
rity more than approached in interest to-
days event The weather was very good,
being just cloudy enough to prevent the hot
June sun from making the day uncOmfOrt-
able. 1t had been raining here for three
days, but not a drop fell to-day.
THE IMMENSE ATTENDANCE,
Such multitude of ladies as put in an ap-
pearauce at the track was something un-
precedented, and SO great was the crush
that hundreds of them were wedged help
lessly in the enormous mob Of male enthusi-
asts that cOnsregated on the lawn in front
OF the betting ring. No aisle or stairway in
In lcsa I.,fTo ioI inn nf
ing roum. The galleries and roof were
black with people, while the approaches
from end 10 end of the stretch, including
even the clubhouse grounds, were crowded
almost to suffocation. In the field there was
line alter line of all manner of vehicles,
loaded down with people. Everybody
agreed that dispite the yielding, dustless
condition Of the soil, that the rains had left,
the race, with the array Of powerful ami
mails entered, was to be magnificent
struggle. So intent was the huge c0neOurSe
OF people, on the real event Of the day, that
the two first races passed almost unnOtced,
except when Isaac Lewis, who was to ride
kingmaD in the Derby, appeared in the
second race aStride of Santiago. The friends
Of the Blue Grass Derby winner gave Lewis
a vOlly Of encouraging cheers, which were
re-echOed as he brought Santiago in win
ner.
ANXIOUS TO BET.
Many a misguided Kentuckian and other
well-meaning persons now straightway went
10 the betting-bOOths and pinned their faith
and money ol ktngman. Phe confusion in
the bOok-makers' quarters as the time for
the big race approached was the worst ever
witnessed in Washington Park, and the
noise, scarcely iessened, spread TO other p0r-
lions OF the grounds. The roof over the
OOok-makers' heads, in front OF whom
pI9mGTR6 pf -
by this time become thick with other thou
sands. The police, fearing that the frall
supports would give way, causing perhaps
the loss of scores of lives, attempted to clear
the platform. Many jumped promptly into
tie mass Of people on the lawu. Suddenly
the supports creaked as the line Of police
forced back the crowd en- masse, and the
fact was clearly demonstrated that ii was
less perlOuS to allow the reckless mob TO
remain unmoested. The hubbub was at its
height when the horses came out for the
Derby, the favJritos being warmly received.
THE CONTESTANTS.
This was the way they were recorded
SNOWFALL, 122, Garrison, and Pessara, 129,
TaraI, post be ting, t. l; Forerunner, 125,
Allen 10 to ! q; LodOwick, 122, Hill, 10 to !;
Michael, 125, Fitzpatrick, 10 l; kingman,
129, Isaac Lewis, to /; High Tariff, l27,
kIley, and Poet Scout, 1l5, Overton, i to /;
Valera, 127 Battain, l. to i Strathmeath,
scratched about an hour before the race.
THE GREAT RACE.
At last the bugle sounded for the race,
and frightfu crush began IN fruitlesS at
tempts Of the less fortunate to secure adj
vantageOus positions from which 10 view
the race. Starter Sheridan mounted his
box and lectured the boys Then the horses
were placed in line and ready for the start.
The first trial was false start, half dozen
refusing to break. The second attempt was
also without re ult, but at the third trial
the horses moved in solid phalanX toward
the starter, and the red flag descended. A
mighty roar went up from the multitude,
and then the tip-toed, thousands realized that
the great Derby was on. ForerUnner
jumped to the trout closely followed by
Peosara and Poet Scout, aud led to the frs
turn. l. Lodowick was last, five lengths
away. Coming down tie stretch Poet Scout
had forged to the front, Strathmeath NOV
lr up TO the second place, and Kingman
third. Passing the stand these positions
were sturdily maintained. At the turn
Michael had worked to the front, and set
merry pace down tho back stretch. Poet
Scout was still second, while Kingman and
Strath meath went back to the bunch.
HIGH TARIFF DROPS DEAD.
1t was at this point that the sensation of
the day took place. High Tariff had started
sixth and been showed Telentlessly through
the heavy going, notwithstanding his 127
pounds weight. klley, by sheer force Of
will, seemed determined to make a showing
equaling his past record and il within hui
man possibility to again carry off the
lauTelS. High Tariff was Vislby gaining
and had passed three of the competitors,
when nature rebelled. An instant later the
feet racer was a helpless cripple, founder
ing wildly in the mire. Kiley, regretfuIly,
tried to check the poor wreck and at last Sue
ceeded, only moment later to feel the ami
aI ni,l.. and foil in h.aan fha alrar,
hastily extricating himself unhurt.
WON BY sTRATHMEATH.
Meantime the pace Of the others was get
ting hOttar and hotter as the horses swung
into the stretch, with Poet Scout in fro MT,
Strathmeath second and Michael tEird.
0yert0n now began to ride. forcing the
leader desperately, and for a moment iC
looked as ii he might win. but COvington
brought Strathmeath up by the outer rail
with rush, stealing the former tactics of
Kiugman's rider, and won by an open
length withaut use of whip or spur Poet
Scout was second. half length before King
man, third. Time, 2:49A.
OF the other races two were won by the
favorites, aud rs Strathmesth carried the
bulk of money 10 the Derby thelcrowd went
home happy.
THE OTHER RACES.
The following are the other races:
Three-yeaT-olds and upward, one mile,
Joe Carter won, Yale '9l second, Labold
third. lime, :531A.
Three-year-o olds and upward, one and an
eighth miles, Santiago won, Sportsman sec.
ond, Dickerson third. Time, 2:05.
Three-year-Olds and upward, one and a
sixteenth miles, ST. Alba1s won, Martin
Russell second, Marie X third. Time, :57A
Two-year- olds. five furlongs, Strathmald
won, Frank Kinney second, Curt Gum
third. Time, 07.
At Coney Island.
SHEEPsHEAD BAY On. ", June 20.-
The track was slow, and the winners in to-
days races were:
Seven furlongs, Saunterer won, Pagan
second, Longford third. Time, 20 4-5.