The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-24
EASTERN COLT, JAMES, SECOND
WHILE LIEUTENANT GIBSON. THE
FAyORITE, FINISHED THIRD.
Winnie Was Almost Neglected in the
Betting, Odds Against Him Rang
ing from 20 to L to g TO L.

this afternoon at Washington Park Sly
lengths behind him was the Eastern colt
James, and still further back, struggling to
no avail. was the vaunted public choice.
the favorite, Lieutenant Glib
son. Barrack, Advance Guard and Sam
Phillips brought up the procession. which
carried little joy to the $1,000 spectators
who saw the great classic decided. That
rush Of Sidney Lucas through the stretch
and that falling back of Lieutenant Gibson
was so sudden. so startling, it fairly stupe-
fed the crowd. No tumultuous applause
for the winner when the contenders can
tered back to the judges stand; no wild
demonstration from those who had wag-
cred upon his chances; only faint applause
from a scattering few greeted Jockey Bull
man and the Topgallant colt.
Eight out Of every ten horsemen whose
opinions are accepted as valuable had
picked Gibson TO win and win easily over
a track supposed to be just to his liking
Slightly slow and holding, but drying out
rapidly under the bright sun. Perhaps not
one in a hundred had picked Sidney Lucas
TO turn the trick: certainly not one I'm a
thousand imagined he would win practical
ly off by himself. The attitude of the
crowd was almost one of sullen disappoint-
ment. yet it was a true run race under the
day and conditions. Lieutenant Gibson,
favoTite. had no excuses. Sam Phillips. the
second choice. was in the same unfortunate
category. Thus the great event passed into
turf annals and registered the ninth defeat
of a ~favorite in a race which has been con-
tested thirteen times.
Before the result. mourned by so MANY.
had thrown is dampar YDon 4ba -1;-;.- e
nearly all, except the bookmakers. the
scene was one of animation. Flashes of
color in b~ewildering profusion shone out
from the swell turnouts and automobiles in
the field. where society viewed the race.
From the clubhouse, even more select.
there was one bewildering array of pretty
women in Derby gowns, while in the grard
stand. where a great majority settled to
pay honor to the game thoroughbred SUI
preme on Derby day, there was a bewilder-
ing and Kaleidoscope shifting of all those
dainty tints which form the costumes of
women and enhance their beauty. Against
this setting the sterner apparel of their es-
corts framed the background. Yet with
all the society feature it was a crowd
drawn largely from the people. The men
and women who attend races but once a
year were there. They appreciated every
thing and in most instances Jared the best
on the day. for they had no messengers to
execute commissions in the almost impas-
sable betting ring.
THE BETTING RING.
When the starters and jockeys were
posted for the one star feature event of the
day the crowd, or rather the male portion,
surged in almost endless stream toward the
ring where the pencilers stood on their lit
tie stools offering odds. The booths preva-
lent on Western tracks were missing-in-
stead, the system of the East, more on
the hand-booking plan. Only the hardy
stood through that crush, and the timid
were glad when the race was over.
When at last the bugle called the six
chosen th~oroughbreds to the post there was
a hushed expectancy. All were eager to see
the royal purple of Board of Trade"
Charles Smith, borne by Lieutenant Glib
son, for the colt had not made a public ap-
pearance in Chicago. The expectations
were more than realized. He was the only
really racy looking youngster in the bunch,
his mincing step standing out in contrast
to the rather detected appearance of the
rest of the field. Sidney Lucas attracted at
~tention. but it was the attention bestowed
upon red flannel bandages upon his fore
legs. ITS too bad to start such a cripple"
said one sympathetic woman Others
smiled knowingly in derisiop. The colt ap-
peared as if he would welcome death as a
providential escape from heavy care. But
that was before the mile and a half journey
had been traverSed.
Around TO the start at the half-mile post
slowly wendell the field. There the nervous
temperament of Lieutenant Gibson showed
I'm his uneasy shiftings. One false break,
in which Advance Guard was boiling side
ways as the barrier arose, and then Starter
Dwyer dropped his red flag. signifying a
start. They're orr came that old IA
miliar cry from the immense throng. Bar
racks nose was in front. with James sec
ond and the favorlte third. Gibson ; posi-
ton was what concerned the public. and 1t
was satisfied. Around the stretch turn and
down the straightaway for the first time
stand Lieutenant Gibson. fairly lighting.
was leading by a head, and James, running
almost as easily. but without that over
whelming desire to rush to the front, sec
ond. Sam Phillips, the hope of the Schorr
stable. with Jockey Tommy Burns In the
saddle. was third. The disconsolate look
Ing Sidney Lucas was fourth, with Barrack
and Advance Guard bringing up the rear.
On swept the field past the quarter pole.
Sidney Lucas dfsplacing sam Pniihps IN
third position. Jockey Mitcnen iooseheu
his wrap on the reins through the back
stretch and James moved to the van He
was only a length before Gibson. when hao
Lucas at his saddle girtn- SuH there was
no Indication of the impending disaster
The son OF G.. w. Johnson and Sophia Har-
DIV was going easily. Around the FAR turn
Boland began 10 let down his mount, but
only slightly; the first three moving 10 the
pole, denoting the final quarter mile 10 the
wire. half lengths apart There Gibson
surely would go to the 'front.' thought the
crowd. But it was Sidney Lucas which
was moving to the front. Boland urged
Lieutenant Gibson He passed James Tor a
few seconds, but Sidney Lucas was IN
front.
FIRST CRY OF SURPRISE
Gibson is beaten sounded the cry nrst
OF surprise. Again it sounded In tones OF
despair. And Gibson was beaten shortly
after he was caught between Sidney Lucas
and James and his progress slightly inter-
ferred with. Boland would have had TO go
around. but the two were leaving the car
rier OF many thousand dollars OF puohc
money behind. There between the quarter
and eighth post was decided the thirteenth
American Derby. Thompson Bros. COLI
outstripped James. and an eighth OF a mile
from home he was two open lengths 10 the
good. For an instant Gibson ralied ana
drau ~ S1fohtfv ahead of James, but *