The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-05-05
By Joe Williams
% Derby FavOrites Win
Longest Odds S91.45 to 81
Bets May Reach Million

I OUISVILLE, May 81 have been told by Grass material
lists that there is only one thing anybody wants to know
about the Kentucky Derby, which is being run out here today
for the sixtieth time-and that is the winner.
On the ~of-chance that this may not be entirely so-and
not being a certified clairvoyant anyway have checked
back through the history of the south's greatest sporting
event and come up with my fingers dripping with succulent
facts, some of which may interest you.
Theft rst Derby was run on a Monday-on Mondy, May
II, 1875, to be precise. A war hero, General Ulysses Grant,
sat in the White House at the time. A bloke named Tom
Allen of England claimed the world heavyweight champion
ship. There were Indian uprisings in the west. Fanny Ward
was learning about plastic surgery for the first time. Cy
Young was developing his curve ball. I don't know just
where Rabbit Maranvine was then.
A LITTLE red chestnut named Arstides won the first Derby, yielding
the value of the Derby has grown to $4,000 added and slipped, in the
Count won in in 1928 ' the purse Se was R% s555 18th " richest a" Of all DeTbeS to
date.
You hear from time to time that the Derby is not a truly-run race
h awe b ba faV ogftn T 1GrFf iS a. I exeensnt SHOWING vi re es6 n1g1hn when Hn it is
considered that the Derby is run in early spring when the horses are not
AT the same time there have been a number Of long shot winners in
than 10 to / There never has been a 100 to l shot winner but in 1918
a thing named Donera1 came bouncing down in front at $9l45 to 81.
That's still tops.
T WAS talking to the jockey who rode DoneraI the other day, Roscie
the owner didn't want to start the colt, didn't think he was eve worth
But I knew DoneraI could go as far and fast a any horse in the
him in the race. I got Doneran free Of the pack at the last turn and
not a freak win by a freak horse. either, and everybody at the track
mat reanHd II Whe M checkers announced n time, 204 As, a
new record"
Mr.. Goose had himself a twenty dollar ticket on his mount, and it
is his recollection the owner played something else in the race, either
boots. Mr.. Goose tells you he wouldn't mind winning another bet like
that some time. Really.
TWICE there have been Derby winners who commanded such a
Il general following that the most a man could win for his dollar
first one to three shot and then you move up to 1905 for the other one,
when Agile was about the only horse in the field anybody cared to
invest in.
The most active betting race a the 1926 Derby when $2O960OO
was poured into the machines. That was the year Colonel E. R. Bradley
won his second Derby with Bubbhng Over, with Baggenbaggage, another
of his colts, running second. The Bradley entry was the favoite, tobacco
prices we're high, money as plentiful out here, and when money is
plentiful out here the good people don't hesitate to send it in.
From this peak figure the Derby day mutuel totals dwindled
steadily until in 1882 the machines for the first time in seven years
fell below the million dollar mark. Last year the total reached a new
low Of S745600-which wasn't half bad at that, in a year when banks
were blowing up all over the country, and a fellow with $745 in cash
was accounted a gold hoarder.
~OLONEL MATT WYNN, who took hold Of the Derby when it was
little more than a country fair race with something Of a background
and by sherw showmanship developed it into the picture race of the ma
ton, thinks the mutuel total for todaqs race may present a return to mil
lion dollar betting.
I'VE have shown a daily up of 20 per cent over last year in the
a break in the weather it wouldn't surprise me to see a tremendous play
OF the race. particularly since it seems to be more Or less of a wild open
proposition"
The colonel thinks some mention should be made publicly of this re
neWed interest in sporting speculation because it reflects in no little de
gree the condition of the country, both IS to finances and mental attitude.
when you see people betting o n the horses you can be pretty sure that
the country is coming along all right" he says.