Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-04
KENTUCKY DERBY
LIEUTENANT GIBSON WAS AN
EASY WINNER.
(By Telegraph to virg,nian-P ilot)


(By Telegraph to Virginian-P ilot)
Louisville. KY, May s.-Lieutenant
Gibson. at to 8. the good son of G.
w. Johnson, showed this afteroon that
the confidence placed in him by the tall
ent had been fully justified, for he won
the twenty-sixth kentucky Derby as he
pleased. taking three-quarters of Sec
ond off the track record for one mile
and q quarter. This was Derby Day,
truly characteristic in every respect.
With sunshine overhead and a fast
track under foot. the day was most
suspicious for the successful derby that
rewarded the efforts of the manage
ment of the new Louisville Jockey Club.
The race was, in some respects a dis
appointment. The promised driving fin
ish failed to materialize, but for one
reason-Lieutenant Gibson was so far
SUI erior to his field that they could not
make race of It.
Derby Day In Kentucky always adds
new history to the State, for all the love
that the kentuckians have for horse
flesh is given full sway on the occa-
sion OF the classic event. and it always
means that the stand and the grounds
adjacent thereto Is to be taxed en- the
opening day of the spring meeting. The
betting stand was one surging, moving
mass of humanity. and the bookies were
kept busy handling the bills which men
fairly fought to get placed.
The derby was the fourth event on
the card. and when the entries were
fifally posted 1t was found that Oron-
taS and Benadier had been scratched,
leaving seven of the best colts in the
West to contend for the honor.
Kentucky Farmer, Lieutenant Gibson,
His Excellency, Highland Lad Florizar
ri nd {1d tl,a
track in the order named and each was
in turn cheered as he paraded in front
Of the stand.
Starter Chinn had but little trouble
in getting them away, and there was 4
murmur from the $4,000 people present
and all eyes werc fixed on the seven
colts as they came down to the stand.
When the bit of red bunting fell they
were all in motion and punched closely,
with Kentucky Farmer having a head
the advantage over Lieutenant Gibson,
who was second. The positions re-
manned practically the same as they
Travelled the first quarter, except that
Thrive moved up a little nearer the
front, while Lieutenant Gibson had
been sent to the head of the process
sion by Boland. When they reached the
first quarter, after passing the stand,
Lieutenant Gibson was showing the
way by some three lengths. with Ken
lucky Farmer second and His Excellen-
| cy third. 1t was evident from the very
| fall OF the flag that Boland. on Lieu
| tenant Gibson. was to make a runaway
| race of It,
At the half Lieutenant Gibson was
| going with an even, steady STR de, four
lengths in front OF Highland Lad, who
had moved up to second place and who
was a head in front OF His EXcellency,
three lengths in front of Florizar. while
Kentucky Farmer. Thrive and Hindus
were strung out for dozen lengths in
the order named.
AS they rounded the upper turn and
came into the stretch Gibson had not
| relinquished more than half a length.
Florizar was second, a length in front
of Highland Lad, his stable companion
| with His EXcellency fourth.
But little change was made in the
final run except that Thrive moved up
to third place, while Highland Lad and
His Excellency gave evidences of dis
tress at the killing pace which Glib
son maintained to the finish. for the
twenty-sixth Kentucky Derby ended
as 1t began. in n procession. with Lieu
tenant Gibson at the head and his field
trailing. He passed under the wire
winner by two lengths OF daylight
without having been touched. In the
sensational time of 2:06A. Florizar
was second, half n length in front of
Highland Lad. while His Excellency,
Kentucky Farmer and Hindus were
strung out in the order named The
public had expected Lieutenant Gibson
to win. and cheer after cheer went up
when Boland dismounted the son of G.
w. johnson, and wreath of American
Beauties was entwined about the
brown colts neck
Four favorltes won to-day Sum-
maries:
First race-Five and one-half fur
Ilongs-The' Russ (even) won. Mr.. Phin-
Ivy Is to 1 and to y second. Charlie
O'Brien 600 to y third. Time, 1907.
Second race-Four furlongs-Ethel
Pace (even) won, Queen Carnival a to
1 and to y second, Fancy Wood a
to u third Time. o:49.
Third NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. a to y
won. LaMachus g to 1 and even) sec
ond, Lord Zeni e to y third. Time,
1:42.
Fourth race-Mile and a quarter, the
Kentucky Derby-Lieutenant Gibson
gar. 122. VanDuzen a to 1 and to 81
second, Thrive. 1875. WINFIELD (5 to y
third. Time, 2:06A. Highland Lad,
His Excellency, Kentucky Farmer and
Hindus finished as named Fractional
time. half. :4Sk: three-quarters. 1:13k:
seven-eights, 1864; mile. 1:402-
mile and one-etghth. 1:521s; mile and
ne-quarter. 2:osA.
Fifth race-Four furlongs-Sard (6 to
-5) won. The Auditor GO to / and to
- second. Sam Lyons 40 to y third.
Time. 40.
Sixth race-Six furlongs, selling
Grayless e to y won, Judge Wardell
(even and OUT second. Ishabinda e to
y third. Time, 1:14A.
The Nicaragua Canal.