Exterminator a Worthy Substitute for Sun Briar, Daily Racing Form, 1918-05-12

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EXTERMINATOR a Worthy Substitute for Sun Briar i i i , , | . . Louisville, Ky.. May 11. — The New Louisville Jockey Club and its patrons, thousands of them, exjterienced disappointment today in the matter of weather and track conditions for the forty-fourth running of the Kentucky Derby. The morning dawned bright and clear. But shortly after seven oclock the sky became overcast and by 8:30 the rain was pouring down. It was steady and heavy until shortly after 1 oclock. When it ceased, there was an occasional feeble attempt of the sun to kiss away the dampness on stands and lawns and the rye grown infield of verdent Churchill Downs, but it was all to no purpose, for the race was decided over the muddiest course any Derby since that won by Worth in 1912. In spite of the weather and track conditions, there was a tremendous attendance. Perhaps it was neither the largest nor the smallest crowd in the history of the organization, of which former Mayor Charles F. Grainger has the honor of being president and Col. Matt J. Winn the distinction of being general manager, but the fact remains that, by the records of the hotels and statements of j eople who keep tab on such things, there was probably a wider representation of the country in the throng, than on any previous Derby day. There were people here, it was aid by the management, from nearly every state in the union. Also there were men from Canada, France and England. Colonel Vennie made the statement that the number of guests in the Seelbach hotel last night was 1,107, as compared with 800 the night before the 1917 Derby. NATIONAL ANTHEM AT START. The usual scenes and activities attended the preliminaries to the racing and the usual bustle was evident in the stand, club house, betting pavilion, paddock and on the lawns. As the horses came from the paddock to the track in the parade to the post for the opening race, the band struck up the national anthem and at the same moment the stars and stripes were run up to the top of the tall flag mast in the center field. Every one stood, the soldiers who had come in goodly numbers from Camp Zach-ary Taylor at attention and male civilians with their heads uncovered. Two of the jockeys. Frank Murphy and Lee Mink, took off their caps when they heard the strains of "The Star Spangled Banner" and saw "Old Glory" floating to the breeze, a resplendent guarantee of the freedom of the nation. In the big throng were many in the United States uniform, formerly identified with racing. George Swain, who rode many winners; C. C. Fry, a former owner; "Tony the Mex," known on most race tracks and a near relative to Pancho Villa ; Bob Diindon, former sporting editor of the Louisville Times and an authority on racing and many others, were kept busy shaking hands with a host of racing men that they number as friends. Major General Hale, commandant of Camp Zachary Taylor, accompanied by Major General McLaughlin of the British army, occupied vantage points in the reserved box section and took a keen interest in the Derby and attending incidents. Thousands of other officers and men of the army were also conspicuous and enjoyed their outing to the utmost. GOVERNOR STANLEY ARRIVES. Earnest that our fighting forces and their allies will make the world safe for democracy and, just at the moment of the good old flags ascendancy, the sun shone out from behind the vanishing clouds, until it was bright enough to cast shadows from the trees and shrubs upon the lawn. While the band was playing the national air, Governor and Mrs. O. A. Stanley arrived. They occupied a box set apart for them and there met during the afternoon many friends, who came that way through the crowded stand to pay their respects. The public made a proper selection when Squeeler was backed into favoritism for the opening race, but he had to be hard ridden to withstand the challenging Sedan, with Rifle finishing third. Regalo, favorite for the second race, won easily, the start being greatly to her advantage. It seemed as if seven or eight thousand persons entered the grounds from the start of the first race to the conclusion of the second and slill they came. Information front the gates was to the effect that hundreds were standing in line to get tickets and pay their war tax, as the horses were going to the post. For the third race, which produced such a thrilling finish that the vast throng broke into prolonged cheering, ending in a mighty shout as Bradleys Choice, the favorite, masterfully ridden by D. Connelly, the pilot of Regalo in the previous race, got down to the finish a heatl better than Butterscotch II., which seemingly had the race saf2 when they turned into the stretch. Al Austin elected to start Jim Heffering in the Governors Handicap at one mile, rather than in the Derby, but the smart set had little fancy for anything other than Fruit Cake and, under the guidance of the same D. Connelly, she simply cantered home, with Grundy in second place and Jim Heffering third. Now came the race of the day — the race of the western year. To make the going better for the eight starters, track superintendent Tom Young had it "floated" with a six mule drag. Assistant Manager Harry Breivogel, who came to the press stand to witness the race, said upon being asked as to the size of the crowd: We havent, of course, had time to check up, but the general impression is that it is much larger than last year. If that is any indication, I may tell you that up to the present moment, the business in the pari-mutuel department hats been the heaviest on record." PARADE TO THE POST. Governor A. O. Stanley and Major. General McLaughlin of the British army, went to the judges stand with General Manager Winn, and General William B. Haldeman and stood on the deck with president Charles F. Grainger and judge Charles F. Price, during the running of the big race. The parade to the post was in the following order: Escoba Notter, Viva America Warrington, Sewell Combs Gentry 1, War Cloud Loftus, Exterminator Knapp, Lucky B. McCabe, American Eagle Sandei and Jas. T. Clark Morysl. The parade started at 5 :15. The post was reached at 5 :19 and they were off at 5:21, with Viva America first to appear. The start was a good one. Viva America rushed into the lead with the others well grouped as they passed the stand. She maintained the lead around the first turn along the backstretch until the end of the first three-quarters, where Escoba took the lead, followed by Exterminator. They turned in to the stretch with Escoba leading the son of McGee — Fair Empress by a head, with Viva America in third place. Down the stretch they came — Escoba and Exterminator — head and head, steadily drawing away from the others. About two hundred yards out from the finish, Exterminator forged to the front and won by a length from Escrba, with Viva America third, eight lengths back, War Cloud, fourth; Lucky B., fifth; Jas. T. Clark, sixth; Sewell Combs, seventh, and American Eagle last. The time was 2:10%, and the value of the race to the owner of the winner, Willis Sharpe Kilmer, who purchased him last week at Lexington to lie "a trial horse for Sun Briar." was 4,700. Exterminator was bred by F. D. Knight near Nicholasville and was broken and trained by J. C. Milam, who sold him to Kilmer. He was saddled for the Derby by Henry McDaniel. It was dark when the last of the crowd got to the city. KILMER HORSES LEAVE FOR EAST. The Willis Sharpe Kilmer horses, in charge of trainer Henry McDaniei, aro leaving here tonight for Aqueduct and arc to race at Jamaica. "Sun Briar looks and is acting as well as any horse I ever trained." said McDaniel this noon. "Had Mr. Kilmer been here Monday morning to see him work when the track was fast, he in all probability would be starting in the Kentucky Derby today, had the track remained fast. But Mr. Kilmer could not get here Monday and the work was deferred until Tuesday. Meanwhile it rained. His performance was not as satisfactory as we thought it should have been and we finally decided not to start him." J. C. Milam, after scratching Solly, said: "I know he cannot run in the mud, so hell stay in the barn, but the others will wear the colors." Milam, before the opening of the Lexington meeting, was counted upon to head the list of winning owners at his home town, but the mud of the first days spoiled his chances in that respect, for he has a fast track stable this year. Al that, Milam won a goodly share of die distribution. George Rosseter is among the visitors. He Continued 00 bei-onU page — H HI I EXTERMINATOR A WORTHY SUBSTITUTE FOR SUN BRIAR I Continued from lirsi page. i n _ in • g ., v o r J 1 «. ] 1 . ■ 4 , 1 • J. . l . 1 ■ c 1 i 1 . I . ; 1 o | came from California to see the Derby and is i aU in qu?st of BMBS likely racers to cam paijni. Trainer George Strate, who is handling his horses, was desirous of obtaining a starter t the Derby, but the prices asked were re- | garded by him as out of line. Lucky B. and 1 Sewell Combs were priced to him at 5,000 and 0,000 respectively. A certain percentage » was also desired by the owners in case they were victors in the Derby. i Through some misunderstanding word went 1 out that a contingent of 10,000 soldiers from Camp Taylor would be present to view the i Derby. This was incorrect. The boys of Uncle 1 Sam will be privileged to see the racing and i provision has been made by the association ior the entire camp, numbering nearly 40,000. to witness the sport, but on different days later I during the meeting. Judge Francis J. Nelson, for years a steward of the Canadian racing circuit and more re- | cently presiding judge at Oaklawn Park. Hot i Springs, came from his home in Toronto to wit- t ness the running of the Kentucky Derby. Judge Nelson has not missed a Derby in years, i There will be no dearth of riding material at Ihe local meeting, as there are more jockeys - mi hand than ever before. Some of them are: i Loftus, W. Knapp, A. Johnson, W. Warring- | ton, L. Gaugel, E. Sande, R. Simpson. H. Luns- ford, J. Gruber, E. Donahue. B. Koppelman, i C. Van Dusen. J. Majestic. J. Groth. M. Garner, i L Garner. J. Dreyer, H. Shilling, K. Lapaille, 1 . Connelly, W. Lilley, J. Dursrh, J. McCabe, I L Gray. H. Gray, L. Gentry, J. Morys, J. Met- i calf, J. Burke ami F. Smith. R0SC0E GOOSE RECOVERING. Word was received today from Lexington, Ky., to the effect that jockey Roscoe Goose, , who was seriously injured several days ago, j when James Foster went down with him, is doing well and his recovery is assured. He will remain in the hospital in Lexingion for a week or ten days in order to give his injuries plenty of time to mend and then will be brought to his home in this city. A big delegation came from New Orleans to witness the big race. They spoke optimistically of the racing outlook in Louisiana and dont regard hostile legislation during the pres- | ent session of the Legislature as likely. According to their statements, all the Fair Associations are opposed to any act that will prevent racing in New Orleans. Jockey King Lapaille, whose home is in this city, will make another but for saddle honors at the Churchill Downs meeting. Lapaille was out of the saddle the greater part of last year, but he has been keeping in condition by ex erasing the George J. Long horses during the winter. Joe Rhyncck, former congressman from the Sixth Kentucky District, now a New York theatrical magnate, came on from the east. He stopped at Baltimore to see Senator Ollie M. James and brought the welcome news that he is sure to get well. The illness of H. K. Knapp kept Andrew Miller and other prominent eastern sportsmen from coming. Usually these well-known eastern turfmen spend about ten days in these parts and depart for the east after the running of the Derby. George J. Longs Freecutter is recovering from his sickness, but Ocean Sweep is on the i t | 1 » i 1 i 1 i I | i t i - i | i i I i , j | shelf with distemper. It will be at. least six weeks before Freecutter can race. George C. Bennett of Memphis was among those who saw Ihe Derby. I just came up to see the race," said he, "ami am going hack ! home tonight." ; Another of the veterans in attendance was ■ J. Campbell, who came from California. Fred Cook, one time spectacular bookmaker, i now conducting a hotel in New Orleans, was j here. « Price McKinney, looking better than he has ■ in years, was frequently congratulated and t heard many expressions of hope that he would ! return to the turf soon as an owner. , A. K. Macomber sent an eleventh hour mes- sage to trainer W. B. Jennings, that important j business matters would prevent his arrival : from New York to see the Derby. j Captain Baxter, who was wounded while i serving in France, was among the visitors. Capt. Baxter is a son of Ed Baxter, assistant i treasurer of the Windsor Jockey Club. John Marklin came over from Detroit to wit- i ness the Derby and its incidents. George Chancellor, owner of Mars Mouse, i which he claimed at Hot Springs, announced that he would start the colt in the Preakness Handicap. i Jockey Albert Johnson is steadily recovering from an infection resulting from a poorly . dressed wound received in his fall at Lexington. W. B. Jennings, trainer of War Cloud, stated this afternoon that the Macomber representative would be shipped Sunday to Baltimore and if he arrives there in good condition, will be among the starters in the Preakness Handicap. Thomas J. Pendergast. the well-known pol- [ itical leader of Kansas City and who is an ardent admirer of the thoroughbred horse, was among the arrivals to witness the Derby. He [ is accompanied by Mrs. Pendergast. SHIP SPRING SONG TO CANADA. George Henrlries Spring Song will be shipped to Toronto shortly to be among the starters in the Kings Plate, which will be decided on , May 24. John Lowe, who has been resting his horses at Churchill Downs since the close of Hot Springs, has his charges in good condition. The same applies to Marshall Bros., who have I Marie Miller and Lottery here. . Kay Spence reported that his mare Superl had foaled a filly by Ivan the Terribl3. Superl will be mated with Short Grass and has been , sent to E. R. Bradleys farm. Tom Buckley has purchased Hope and Jovial from the Poland Stable, which is owned by II. Dattner, and he is also dickering for Cracow. The terms of the sale were not announced. Emil Herz plans to leave for the ea.st next week. His horses are in that section of the country now in charge of trainer Johnny Flanagan. Local racegoers had their first view of starter A. B. Dade in action today. Dade is a Ken-tuckian, being a native of Henderson, but he has done little work with the barrier in his home state. Owners and trainers will have no trouble in getting good apprentice jockeys, as the ritb ing ranks are well fortified in this respect. Emil Herz was notified that W. S. Paynes good broodmare Empty had foaled a sturdy looking colt, sired by Short Grass.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1910s/drf1918051201/drf1918051201_1_5
Local Identifier: drf1918051201_1_5
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800