Aftermath of the Kentucky Derby: Opinion General Exterminator Was Best Under Conditions Existing Last Saturday, Daily Racing Form, 1918-05-16

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AFTERMATH OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY Opinion General Exterminator Was Best Under Conditions Existing Last Saturday. I,onisvillo. Ky.. May 15. The r* -nit of the forty-fourth Kentucky Derby will probably lx- regarded a--having furnished the Mirpris- , f all surprises during the long history of this famous and much coveted event. The success of Stone Street in 1908. when he carried the colors of . Hamilton home, and the victory of T. 11. Hayes* Donernil in 1913. when he tix.k a band of notable three-year olds into camp, did not bring half the surprise that was occasioned when Exterminator outganieil the hard-trying Escoba and earned deserved triumph. . That Exterminator was best under the conditions that existed Saturday i indisputable. Likewise that he is a g 1 colt was also made [latent. J. C. Milam, who develop i| the gelding, always held him in high regard and said immediately after he had sold him to Mr. Kilmer for 5,000. that he eonsidered him as highly as he did Sun Briar and thought his chances to win the Derby e.,u.il to any of t! ose which would start in the car*. Of course. Mr. Kilmer was loath to Ix-lieve that anything that trod oil plates could Baal Sun P.riar. and even after Exterminators success, he is unwilling t» admit that the gelding has a chance to Baal last years champion. Shrewd observers hold a different view, and if such a contingency ever oceurs where Ixith horses start in the same race. Exterminator, in the event that they are Ixith ridden out. will lead Sun Briar at the finish. For the third successive time A. K. Macomber was forced to ex|x-rien -e disappointment by the failure of his highly regarded representative to land the muchly coveted prize. To win the Kentucky Derby was 01 f Mr. Mneombers most cherished ambitions. He spent fabulous sums in the attempt, even going to the extent of buying the entire output of yearlings from the famous J. B. Joel Nursery Stud in England. His closest to victory was on the occasion that his colors were firt carried in the race, when Ceorge Smith lx-at the great Star Hawk. The latter carried MaiomlHTs Mlks in the race and many thought that, with a better judged ride, he would have reversed the decision with George Smith. FOURTH SUCCESSIVE EASTERN VICTORY. Mr. Kilmers victory marked the fourth successive one that eastern owners have achieved. II. I*. Whitneys Regret, the only filly that has triumphed in the race since its institution in 1S75. Ixgan the "nsterners" successes in 1915, and since then George Smith. Omar Khayyam and Exterminator have followed the victories. All of the starters came out of the race in g,u,i ondition. The victory of Escoba would have been es-ix-cially pleasing and probably the most |xipular. The sentiment was strong too for Mr. Maiomlx-rs eliampion. War Cloud, lioth these colt; will show Mi lx-tter advantage over fast tracks and will have dportunitics .0 reverse the Derby finish with the winner later. All the Kilmer horses and War Cloud are now en route east. War Cloud is an cx|iecteil starter in the Pnakness Handicap at Pimlico Wednesday. Derby aftermath is not confined to the surprising result of the race. The wonderful attendance in evidence, under the most trying weather conditions, is a source of talk. It is regarded as remarkable that a record attendance should brave a p: ssible drenching to be on hand to view the race. In the throng were many notables, including ix-rsous from many parts of the world. The foreign army officers were conspicuous and they seemed to enjoy the sport to the utmost. Major General Dale, commandant of Camp Taylor, seemed intensely interested in the racing and its attending incidents and Major General Mcljichlan of the English army, was no less impressed. Both these army officers, with Governor Stanley, witnessed the running of the Derby from the stewards pagoda and congratulated the owner of the winner.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1910s/drf1918051601/drf1918051601_2_9
Local Identifier: drf1918051601_2_9
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800