The record-union., 1895-05-07
A Big Crowd Witnesses the Great
Event at Churchill Downs.
BYRON M'CLELLANDS HALMA AN
EASY WINNER
Ran the Whole Course, One Mile and
Half, Without Being Touched
With the Whip Four Favorites
Win at the Bay District Track.
Special to the REooaD-USIoS.

their handkerchiefs and sturdy men
ioined in the lusty cheer that greeted the
son of the great sire, when Hanna passed.
under the wire winner of the twenty
first Kentucky Derby this afternoon.
Such reiuvenated activity and enthusl-
asm was never before Witnessed on
racecourse, for the historic Churchlll
Downs presented a scene that will go
down to posterity. The Kentucky Derby
is an event to which all Kentuckians look
forward to with just pride, and this
afternoon the new Louisville Jockey
Club established new era in the history
of racing in kentucky, the home OF the
thoroughbred.
1t was grand victory, too. for Bryan
McCleland's entry. That Kentuckians
have not lost their enthusiasm for the
horse was evidenced by the crowd that
thronged the superb stand. betting ring
and every other available place to see the
classic event. 1t will never De known
just how many pairs of eyes centered
upon little ''Soup" Perkins as be guided
Halma under the wire an easy winner.
but the most conservative place the num-
ber at %, 900.
Before the arrival of the noon hour the
journey OF thousands to Churchill Downs
began. The boulevard leading to the
course was crowed with vehicles of every
description, from the antlquated two
wheel conveyance to the modern English
cart. All the city buildings and many OF
the larger establishments gave half
holiday TO their clerks. and all went to
see the kentucky Derby.
At the Downs there WAS a scene never
before witnessed in the history of tina.
grand old course. The magnificent new
stand, which has q seating capacity OF
nearly 10000, was inadequate to hold the
vast throng. Every place of vantage
about the stands, paddock and stables
was occupied, while III and ABOUT the
Betting stand it was one solid mass OF hu-
manity.
The betting stand from the time the
first odds were chalked on the board un-
til the flag fell in the closing event was
almost one immovable mass. Men
iostled against each other and essayed 10
elbow their way through the throng IN
their effort to place their money, but the
fifteen bookies who were there to accom-
modate the public could not handle more
than one-half the money.
Halma won the Derby as he pleased,
and not once did Perkins hnd II ueces-
sary to use the rawhide, for the colt as
sumed the lead from the very fall OF the
flag. and set the pace to the finish. He
when he passed the grand stand there was
good four lengths of daylight between
the sou of Hanover and the hard-rldden
BaSso. who was second.
There was enthusiasm when the first
two events were run. but when the win
ners were posted in the second race there
was augmented activity, tor the Ken
tucky Derby would soon be thing of the
past. The sound of the sadGling bell had
hardly died away before Curator, with
Overlon up, came out OF the paddock and
cantered around in front of the stand
The Bashford Manor colt was applauded,
but with the appearance OF Laureate 1t In
creased, and when Halma, with Perkins
up, and Basso, with Martin astride, pa
raded in front of the vast crowd, it gave
vent TO its approval with one long-con-
tlnued cheer that lasted almost until the
candidates had reached the half-mile
pole, where Starter Pettingill, flag in
hand, awaited them.
While the thousands were eagerly
watching the horses that were to contest
for the event all was activity in the bet
ting ring. If 10000 people endeavored to
place bet on the first two races every
body wanted to back their choice in the
Derby, and the bookies found 1t all ar
duous task to handle half OF the bills that
were showed at them.
Halma On performance was entitled to
De tie laVOTll6, duu u0 w DIS III bho
ment of both the spectators and the book
makers, for the first odds posted were 2
to D. Even at these pronibitive odds
there was rush to place money on him.
and when the flag went down the best
obtainable was l TO 3. while several books
rubbed him Oft the board. BaSSo was
not without friends, and loads of money
went on him at to to win and 10 D for
the place, but not once did the odds
change after they had once been posted.
Laureate, too, had big following at 9 TO
2, and to 3 for the place. while Curator
at Is to was not altogether friendless.
At 300 all eyes swere turned toward the
half-miIe pole, for there the Derby candi-
dates awaited the order to start on the
tourney that was to make one of their
number famous. They lined up, and
from the first attempt were sent away
well punched, with Halma, the favorite,
showing in front by neck. There was
not lengths difference between the four
horses.
Martin wanted to save Basso for the
final struggle, and as they rounded the
first turn he drew the colt up and OF the
quarter was last, but he took good care
that the distance which separated him
from Halma did not become too great.
Halma had the lead by head from Gu
rator, who had moved up to second.
while Laureate was third and half a
length DeOlQu. ~ NY SAOut W cht u -
as Halma passed under the wire for TIL
first time, with Perkins pulling at the
reins. Laureate was second and Curator
third. Halma and Laureate went mock
and neck around the lower turn, and
when theyreached the three-quarters Per-
kins' mount was leading by head, with
Laureate still after him and Curator a
head in front of Basso.
'Basso has quit J" was the cry that
passed, and the Ealsetto colt was indeed
showing signs Of fatigue. but when they
had passed the mile Martin began riding,
and when they showed III the stretch for
the final run Basso was second
.'Basso wins i'' was shouted almost
simultaneously from thousand throats,
as Martin, riding furiousiy, went after
Heima, who apparently was running
with the same ease as when he went by
the stand for the first time. The bay colt,
however, had run his rope, and although
Martin rode him to the very wire, the
best he could do was to finish four good
lengths behind Helma. with Laureate
third, the same distance from Basso,
and Curator last by five lengths from
Laureate. 1t was a hollow victory Tor
Heima, and the great son of Hanover
landed the prize without a struggle.
There was no sensational finishes, and
but two favorifes won. Potentate Ill the
first event broke the track record for six
furlongs, which was lis.
Six iurlongs, maiden three-year-olds.
Potentate won, Sister Mary second, In
somnia third. Time-1:l33.
Four furlongs, maiden two-year-olds,