Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-04
Signorinetta Captures the
Great English Derby.
Primer and LIangWm, Second and
Third, by Two Lengths.
Winner a | 90 to | Shot and Carried
Very Little Money.


Signorinetta, owned by f. Ginistrelli
and quoted in the betting at 100 10 /
against, Wednesday, defeated all the
American, British and French cracks
and captured the Derby stakes, valued
at $500 suvereigns, the greatest priz" Of
the turf world. The Italian horse sim
ply cantercd home from the hot Ia
vorites by two lengths. A neck only
divided the second horse, the duke of
Portlands Premier, and the third, Bar
clay Walkers Llangwm. Time 2,39 40.
Mercutio led to the mile post when
August Bclmonts Norman III drew
to the front. The American horse,
however, going down the hill was over
hauled by Mountain Apple, ridden by
Lyme Lyme held the lead, with Sig
norinetta, Primer, and Llangwm, ridden
by Maher, in close attendance until
che quarter mile, when Signorinetta,
the only filly in the race, came on
with Il rush and romped home the
easiest of winners. Mountain Apple
was fourth.
Only one of the favorites flattered
his supporters at any point of the
course. This was Mountain Apple, who
took up running upon entering the
straight. But the pace was too fast
and with the quarter mile still TO go
he dropped back beaten.
At this stage the unfancied Italian
tilly, which had been occupying a nice
place in the center raced to the front.
Not since Jeddah, another 100 to 1 out
slider, won the Derby in 1898 has there
been such an utter route of the favor
ties.
Signorinetta never has been seen to
advantage. She could only reach fifth
place in this years Newmarket stakes
1t is probable that the filly did not
carry more than $25 of the publics
money and her victory was received
with blank dismay. The quoted price
on her, 100 to 1 against was purely
nominal; the lawyers would have given
any price asked.
Except from the bookmaRers who
had reapcd perhaps the richest har-
vest of their lives, there was not q
cheer to proclaim the victory of the
Italian entry.
The only horse considered a possible
winner to secure place was LlangWm
with Maher up.
Both Norman III and Seasick II
started well enough and made run
ming in the early part of the race but
they soon fell into the ruck.
SiSnorinetta is the first filly to win
| the blue ribbon since the victory %
| sshotovcr in 1882. Seasick II finished
sixth King Edwards Perrier 18th :
| Norman III 18th and Azote, the milk
| fed horse, 18th.
| The oldest Derby-gocrs say that
| never was there such perfect day
or such a great crowd at Epson
| Downs 1t is certain that never in
| recent years has so much enthusiasm
been evincesl. From early morning all
the roads leading to the Downs had
been crowded with vehicles. SO thick
were they indeed that on the main
thoroughfares motor cars and car
riages had to move at snail pace.
Included in the crowd was very
numerous attendance of Americans
and the Stars and Stripes flew from
many coaches and automobiles.
The royal party arrived before the
| first race was run. Richard Croker
also was enc of the early arrivals he
was followed closely by the Wander
| bits and the Belmonts and as the at
b tnrnoon advanced the crowds in
creased until, between the races
black, compact mass covered the
course from Tattcnham corner down
to and beyond the paddocks. Inc
coaching stand was largely monopoliz-
| cd by Americans The younger gener-
| alton was represented by party of
| Young girls bedccllCd with the nation
| al coIors and armed with horns ready
| to proclaim tho victory OF anything
! American. horse or jockey.
Probably this was the first time in
the history of the Derby that man,
| CARRIED as the owner of Signorinetta
was, in an old weather-beatcn straw
hat and stable clothes. led in the WIN
ner of the classic race.
| Siunorinetta is entered for all the
big races of the season including the
| Oaks. and her victory today makes
| the chances of Richard Cookers great
flly. Rhodora, of clearing the field, less
certain The betting for the Oaks, in
which Rhodora would have been an
odds-on- favorite has been CONSIDER
ably affected by the form shown by
! Signorinetta in the Derby.
Senior Ginistrelli's ambition for eight
wears has been to win the Derby with
| a fOal of Signorlna. he HAS u Siea'
nersonal affection for his animals.
Even today, instead of waiting to re-
| ceive the congratulations of his
| friends. he left the enclosure to see
that Signorinetta was properly ruopeu
| down and attended to.
He refused a very large ofter LOT
| Sionorina. the dam of Signorinetta, as
a 9-year-old. declaring that no money
could buy her. Yet the first Il years
of her career at the stud were heart
breaking disappointments. Year after
wear she either was barren or threw
dead foals Her first foal that hved
was Signorino, who won third IN the
| Derby of 1908
| Signor Ginistrellfs unconventioha
wavs and unorthordox methods OF
training and preparing his horses OFTEN
/ have been the subject OF laughter
among the professional trainers al
| Newmarket, although he personally is
| popular.
london. June 3-Lured by the fact
| that ut least half of the horses that
| ore tn rim at EPSON Downs IN the MS