The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-05
AMERICAN HORSE
In THE DERBY.
Democrat. the American Candidate.
Will Make a Strong Bid Tor the
Great English Turf Event.

Democrat, the horse who, by long
odds, is the American favorite for the
coming English Derby, is certainly one
of the most promising youngsters that
have yet been entered for the classic
turf event. Not only has he already
had a sensational career, having been
generally recognized as the best two
year-old of last year, but to-day there
are many good English sporting men
who believe that he stands as good a
chance as FOrfarShire, the other favor
lite, to carry off the honors in the blue
ribbon events of the English racing
world.
An examination of the record of Dem
ocrat's performance last year will prove
beyond dispute that he was clearly en-
titled to the credit of being regarded
as one of the best, If not the very best,
two year-olds of 1899. Those who have
followed his work know that he was
not himself in the early part of the
season. AS the result, he made but an
ordinary appearance at his first three
starts; whereas, later in the season he
easily defeated such horses as Emer-
son and O'DOnovan Rosa, all of whom
had bested him at the earlier events.
In fact, it was actually not until the
Ascot meeting that Democrat began to
be himself, but at the Coventry Stakes
he commenced that series of victories
that was broken only once before the
close of the season, this occasion being
his defeat by ForfarShire. Among his
great victories were the Hurst Park
Foal Plates at six furlongs, the Ma
tional Breeders Stakes at five furlongS,
the Champagne Stakes at five furlongs
and 152 yards, the RouS Memorial at
five furlongs, the Middle Park Plate at
six furlongS, and the DeWhurSt Plate at
seven furlongs. In these events the
least weight carried by him was 126
pounds, while the highest was 135
pounds.
A BAD RACE.
AS has already been stated, Forfar-
shire beat Democrat in the Imperial
Stakes at six furlongs, winning closely
Forfarshire had the advantage in
weight and Democrat was otherwise
handicapped by being ridden by Sloan
/ just after he had had bad fall. AS
the result, he was unable to do his
mount justice and the American gelding
was defeated. At the National Breed
ers' Produce Stakes, however, Demo-
crat defeated Forfarshire easily, al
though the latter was given an advan-
tage of nine pounds in the weight.
Naturally, under such circumstances,
the friends of the American claimant
have full confidence in his ability to
>quite generally believed that he will
win the Derby unless he is debarred
from the event on the ground that he
is a gelding.
1t is believed, however, that the Eng
lish Jockey Club will not take this
means to prevent him from running, as
they have already permitted him to ap-
pear in the Champagne Stakes, an
event that is run under exactly similar
conditions.
It is held that if the club desires to
prevent the Derby being won by geld
ing, a rule should first be passed pro-
hibiting the entering or running of a
gelding for the Derby or any other
classic event, but that, until such a
regulation is adopted, the entrance of
Democrat or of any other gelding