The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-04
KENTUCKY DERBY RUN
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE SAW THE
GREAT RACE OF THE SPRING.
Lieut.. Gibson Won and Cut Three
Quarters of Second on Track
Record for Mile and Quarter.

LOUISVILLE, KY, May 3.-Lieutenant
Gibson, the good son of G. w. Johnson,
showed this afternoon that the confidence
placed in him by the talent had been fully
justified, for he won the twenty-sixth Ken
lucky Derby. taking three-quarters of
second off the track record for one mile
and quarter. This was Derby day. truly
characteristic in every respect. With sun
shine overhead and fast track under foot
the day was most suspicious for the sue
cessful Derby that rewarded the efforts of
the management of the new Louisville
Jockey Club. The race itself was In some
respects disappointment. The sensational
work in the trials OF the various candidates
within the past week had given rise TO the
belief that the rawhide and steel would be
piled vigorously during the last eighth of
the journey in the big event. The promised
finish failed to materialize but for one rea-
son-Lieutenant Gibson was so far superior
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 horsefesh is
given full sway on the occasion of the
classic event and 1t always means that the
stand and the grounds adjacent thereto is
to be taxed on the opening day Of the
spring meeting. This was no exception.
for everywhere. on sheds. fences. and. In
fact, every place that humanity could find
a clinging place was occupied. The betting
stand was one surging. moving mass OF hu-
mainly 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 finally
posted it was found that Orontus and
Benedier had been scratched, leaving seven
Of the best colts in the West to contend
for the honor Kentucky Farmer. Lieu
tenant Gibson. His Excellency, Highland
Lad, Florizar, Thrive and Hindus came out
on the 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 muir
muir from the 25.000 people present and all
eyes were 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 Farm
er having head the advantage over Lieu
tenant Gibson. who was second. The posi-
tons remained practically the same as
they travelled the first quarter. except that
while Lieutenant Gibson had been sent to
the head of the procession by Boland.
When they reached the first quarter after
passing the stand Lieutenant Gibson was
showing the way by some three lengths,
with Kentucky Farmer second and His Ex-
cellency third
1t was evident from the very fall of the
flag that Boland, on Lieutenant Gibson,
was to make a runaway race of ii. At the
half Lieutenant Gibson was going with an
even, steady stride, four lengths in front
Of Highland Lad, who had moved up to
second place, and who was head in front
of His Excellency. three lengths i'm front
of FloriZar, while Kentucky Farmer,
Thrive and Hindus were strung out for a
dozen lengths in the order named. AS they
rounded the upper turn and came into the
stretch Gibson had not relinquished more
than half length. Florizar was second,
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 10 third
place. while Highland Lad and His Ex-
cellency gave evidences of distress at the
killing pace which Gibson maintained TO
the finish, for the twenty-sixth Kentucky
Derby ended, as it began. in a procession.
with Lieutenant 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 sensa-
tional time of 2:06A. Florizar was second.
half a length in front OF Thrive, who was
a length In front Of Highland Lad. while
His Excellency, KENTUCKY Farmer ana
Hindus were strung out in the order
named The public had expected Lieuten-
ant Gibson to win, and cheer after cheer
went up when Boland dismounted the son
Of G. w. Johnson and a wreath Of Amer
lean Beauties were entwined about the
brown colts neck. Summary:
Mile and one-quarter; the Kentucky
Derby: Lieutenant Gibson, III lbs. (Bo-
land), to 5 and out, won: Florizar 122
(van Duzen). to 1 and to S. second:
Thrive. 122 CWinkfeld). to 1. third. Time.
2:0ek. Highland Lad, His Excellency, Ken
lucky Farmer and Hindus finished as
named Fractional time-Half. as: three
quarters, 1:13iz: seven-eighths, 1854; mile.
1:4o 3-5; mile and one-eighth. 1:521s; mile
and quarter, 2:06h.