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HISTORY OF DERBY » Prophecy of the First Running Strictly Fulfilled. ♦ From Modest Start Kentuckys Greatest Race is Now Most Famons in America. ♦ "Today will ever be historic in the turf annals of Kentucky as the first Derby Day, " prophetically wrote the late B. G. Bruce as the opening1 expression of a concise account of the inauguration of the sport at Churchill Downs on Monday, May 17, 1S75. And today, forty-nine years later, at the same Churchill Downs we not only see that prophecy fulfilled but the Kentucky Derby the most famous race run in America. From a modest beginning in 1875 and for many years of interest mainly to Kentucki-ans and citizens of the neighboring states it has grown to be an American event of almost international importance, attracting widespread attention all over this country, Canada, Cuba, Mexico, and even abroad. While the majority of admirers of the thoroughbred and the great sport of racing know that Aristides, "the little red hoss," won the first Derby and Morvich was the victor last year, how many recall the names of the winners and the thrilling incidents of the races in between those years? For that reason Daily Racing Form herewith presents a brief history of each and every year of the Derby: ARISTIDES— 1875. Aristides won the first Kentucky Derby. He was a son of Leamington, one of the greatest horses ever brought to this country from England. Hidden by Oliver Lewis, Aristides went to the front at the end of the first half mile and from there to the finish the race was never in doubt. He won by two lengths from Volcano, with Verdigris third, the time for the mile and a half being 2:37%. There were fifteen starters and they were sent away without delay by Col. W. H. Johnson, with Col. M. Lewis Clark, president of the club, which had been organized by him after nine years of turf decadence in the Falls City, as the presiding official of the stand. VAGRANT— 1876. A Lexington horse. Vagrant, also won the the second running of the Kentucky Derby. He was a son of Virgil, son of Vandal, sire of Volcano, and was owned by Capt. T. J. Nichols and ridden by Bobby Swim. Standing nearly sixteen hands, he was a dark bay-gelding that was so unattractive as a yearling that he was sold for 50. However, he had a graceful way of running and was what in those days was termed a daisy-cutter. Favorite at evens. Vagrant "galloped along at his ease in his big stride" and never left the result in doubt, winning by a length, with Creedmoor second and Harry Hill third, eleven starting, the drum having been tapped by Col. Robert Johnson. BADEN-BADEN— 1877. Daniel Swigerts Baden-Baden, a big chestnut, with nothing particularly striking about him, won the third Derby in an exciting finish with H. P. McGraths Leonard, the margin being a length, while only a head separated Leonard and King William. The winner, ridden by William Walker, was sold for 00 against 3C for the field. He, like Aristides and Vagrant, was trained at Lexington. Baden-Baden was a son of Australian — Lavender, a daughter of Wagner. There were eleven starters. DAY STAR— 1878. Day Star, winner of the fourth Derby, was 15.2, with an extraordinary short, stout back and well coupled. He was bred at Ashland by John M. Clay, who sold him to T. J. Nichols as a yearling for , and it was in his colors that he scored the second triumph in the race for that well-known citizen of Bourbon County. He was a son of Star Davis and was ridden by Carter. Day Star sold in the field for 10 against 05 for the favorite, Himyar, from which he won easily by two lengths. Himyar was miserably ridden by Robinson. LORD MURPHY— 1879. Lord Murphy, winner of the fifth Derby, was bred in Tennessee, being a son of Pat Malloy, and was owned by George W. Dar-den and G. H. Rice of Nashville. He was an overwhelming favorite and, ridden by Shauer, he won by a length and a half from Falsetto, after an exciting race. FONSO— 1880. The sixth Derby was won by Fonso, son of King Alfonso, bred at Woodburn, owned by J. S. Shawhan of Bourbon County, trained at Lexington, ridden by Lewis and third choice in the betting. Fonso "cut out the work at a good puce," and "won a splendid race, a little over a length," in front of Kimball, the favorite, with Quito, the second choice, last of five and carrying the colors of Dwyer Brothers. Colonel Milton Youngs Bancroft was third and Boulevard was fourth. HINDOO— 1881. The colors of Dwyer Brothers were carried to victory in the Derby of 1881 by that sturdy progenitor of the blood of his line, Hindoo. An odds-on favorite and ridden by Jimmy McLaughlin, the son of Virgin moved up from second position as they entered thc-Btretch and won easily by four lengths, Lelex second and Alfambra third, McGraths Sligo, son of Tom Bowling, being last of the other three. Dwyer Brothers had paid Daniel Swigert 5,000 for Hindoo as a two-year-old. APOLLO— 1882. Daniel Swigert likewise was the breeder of Apollo, son of Ashtead or Lever, which won the Derby of 1882 in the colors of Morris and Patton, after it seemed in the stretch that the favorite, Runnymede, ridden by McLaughlin for Dwyer Brothers, had the race at his mercy. Runnymede quit and ▲polio, piloted by Hurd, "coming with a wet ■ail after a driving race, won by a length." LEONATUS— 1883. Ascender, carrying the colors of Col. Bob Pate, the man who made a fruitless attempt to put the City of Mexico on the racing map, was favorite for the Derby of 1883, which fell to the handsome Leonatus, running in the colors of CMnn and Morgan, the Chinn being Colonel Jack, father cf Thil T, and author of the law creating the Kentucky-State Racing Commission. Leonatus was second choice and won in an easy gallop by three lengths, with Drake Carter second and Lord Raglan third. W. Donohue rode the winner. BUCHANAN— 1884. Buchanan won the Derby of 1884 under the pilotage of that wizard Isaac Murphy. Buchanan was a magnificent looking son of Buckden and was foaled the joint property of Capt W. Cottrill of Mobile and J. W. Guest of Danville, Ky., who sold his half to his partner. Capt. Cottrill later sold a half interest to Capt. S. S. Brown of Pittsburg, and he ran as their property, winning easily by a length and a half from Loftin, with Audrain third, and the favorite, Bob Miles fourth. JOE COTTON— 1885. However much of a disappointment had been Bob Miles to Capt. Jim Williams the previous year Joe Cotton made amends by winning the Derby of 1885, for which he was favorite, and was ridden by Henderson. Morris and Patton, who were the owners of Drake Carter in 1883, were again second with Bersan, and Col. Milton Young for the second time got third money, his colors having been carried by Ten Booker. It was a beautiful day and the largest crowd ever seen on a race course in Kentucky, with the exception of that which had witnessed the match between Ten Broeck and Mollie McCarthy, was present. BEN ALI— 1886. It was the consensus of opinion that the field of ten that ran for the Derby in 1886 was "the best since Aristides year." Ben AM, son of Virgil, the third by that sire to mark a success in this prize, was the favorite, carried the colors cf James B. Hag-gin, was ridden by P. Duffy and won by three parts of a length after a driving finish with Blue Wing. The time, 2:36M , was a new record for the race, the previous best having been Lord Murphys 2 :37. Free Knight was third. MONTROSE— 1887. Montrose, at odds of 10 to 1, ridden by Isaac Lewis, wearing the colors of Col. Alex Labold and his brother, won the Derby of 1887 by a length and a half from Jim Gore, which pulled up lame, a length better than Jacobin the favorite, Banburg fourth. MACBETH II.— 1888. Derby Day in 1888, the day that starter J. F. Caldwell made the mistake and sent the horses away for the first race at the half-mile post in the chute instead of the five-eighths post, causing the race to be run over, was cold and raw and the track was deep in dust and the Melbourne Stables pair Alexandria and Gallet, were favored in the betting. Macbeth n., at odds of 10 to 1, carrying the colors of the Chicago Stable Hankins and Johnson, and ridden by Covington, won handily, Galifet second and W. O. Scullys White third. SPOKANE— 1889. The next year Derby Day was insufferably hot, yet the largest crowd gathered that had ever been present to see the Derby. There was free entrance to the infield. It was, notwithstanding the day and track, great racing, and the field that went to the post in the Derby put up a brilliant contest, Noah Armstrongs Spokane, at 10 to 1 and ridden by Tom Kiley, winning by a short head from Proctor Knott, the 1 to 3 favorite, which lost tlie race when he swerved with Pike Barnes at the head of the stretch. The time was 2:34 and that stands today as the record for the race at one mile and a half distance. RILEY— 1890. Riley, at 4 to 1, ridden by Isaac Murphy in Ed Corrigans colors, won the Derby in 1890 from Bill Letcher and Robespierre, the favorite, the track being muddy. KINGMAN— 1891. Isaac Murphy rode his third winner of the race when he scored with the 2 to 6 favorite Kingman after a hard ride over a track deep in mud, doing the mile and a half in 2:5214, the Derbys slowest time, yet before the most immense crowd ever at the course. AZRA— 1892. The race of 1802 produced the duel between George J. Longs Azra, ridden by Lonnie Clayton, and Ed Corrigans Huron, guided by Tom Britton, which so frequently has been recounted as one of the most stirring contests of the last quarter of a century. Huron, coupled with Phil Dwyer, the only otlysr starter, was odds-on, but Azra beat him by six inches. LOOKOUT— 1893. The next year Lookout, trained by Will McDaniel and ridden by Kunze, won in a canter for Cushing and Orth, while his stable companion, Boundless, was beaten a head for second place by George J. Longs Plutus. The Cushing and Orth pair were favorites. CHANT— 1894. Chant, son of Falsetto, which had not been able to win the Derby in Lord Murphys year, carried the colors of H. Eugene Leigh and George Rose to victory in 1804. Chant was ridden by Goodale and was a strong favorite. He led all the way and won without great effort, Pearl Song second and Sigurd third. HALMA— 1895. Halma, Byron McClellands black son of Hanover, ridden by "Soup" Perkins, and favorite at 2 to 5, won easily in 1895 from Basso, Laureate and Curator. BEN BRUSH— 1896. The next year Ben Brush won the Derby by his whiskers from Ben Eder and it was heralded as the greatest race for the event since Spokane beat Proctor Knott. Continued on sixteenth page. HISTORY KENTUCKY DERBY Continued fiom fourth page. TYPHOON II.— 1897. The succeeding year saw another duel tor the Derby when J. C. Calms Typhoon II. Garner defeated Headley and Nortons Ornament A. Clayton, the favorite, by a neck. The winner was a son of Top Gallant PLAUDIT— 1898. John E. Maddens Plaudit, son of Him-yar, ridden by Simms, beat Lieber Karl, the 1 to 3 favorite, owned by John W. Schorr and ridden by T. Burns, a length after a hard drive in the race of 1898. MANUEL— 1899. The follownig year thfe prize again went to the East when Manuel, ridden by Fred Taral, favorite at 11 to 20, won for A. H. | III E Morris. Manuel was a son of Bob Miles. The second horse in this race was Corsini, which Ed Corrigan had shipped all the way from California, but T. Burns was not skillful enough Let closer than two lengths to the winrnBt the end. LIEUTENANT GIBSON— 1900. Lieutenant Gibson, son of G. W. Johnson, owned by Charles Head Smith, trained by Charles H. Hughes, ridden by jockey Boland and favorite in the betting, had no difficulty in slowing his heels to Florizar and Thrive and those behind them in the Derby of 1900. He ran the mile and a quarter in 2:06%, which stood for ten years after that as the record for the race at that distance, the reduction from one mile and a hafl having been made in Ben Brushs year. Ben Brushs 2:07% was the fastest previous record. HIS EMINENCE— 1901. His Eminence, another son of Falsetto, owned by F. B. Van M iter and ridden by Jim Winkfield, the colored jockey, who afterward distinguished himself in Russia, won the Derby of 1901 quite easily from "Will Hayes" Sannazarro, piloted by Winnie OConnor. John W. Schorrs Alard Scheck, odds-on favorite, was last of five and Tennessee was sick at heart. ALLAN-A-DALE— 1902. Thomas Clay McDowells Allan-a-Dale. son of Halma, bred at Ashland, ridden by J. Winkfield, won the 1902 Derby, while his stable companion. The Rival, ridden by Nash Turner was third, Thomas W. Moores Inventor, piloted by R. Williams, splitting them. East of the four was the boasted Tennesseean Abe Frank. It was a thrilling race and a close finish. JUDGE HIMES— 1903. McDowell the following year put Dick Crowhurst on Bourbon and Helgerson on Woodlake and made another essay for the prize, but a couple of Chicagoans beat him to it. Judge Himes, ridden by EL Booker, at odds as high as 15 to 1, winning under the colors of Charles It, Ellison after a drive with the favorite, M. H. Tichenor and Co.s Early, ridden by J. Winkfield. The winner was by Esher. ELWOOD— 1904. Elwood, a son of Free Knight, mounted by Jockey Prior, running in the name of Mrs. Lasca Darnell, wife of "Boots" Durnell, who at the outbreak of the recent war was in Roumania, an outsdier in the betting, won the 1904 Derby, Ed Tierney second and Brancas third. It was a poor field. AGILE— 1905. Only three started over the muddy track the following year, when Capt. S.. S. Browns Agile, by Sir Dixon, ridden by J. Martin, won at 1 to 3 easily from W. S. William and Co.s Rams Horn and T. P. Hayes Layson. SIR HUON— 1906. Charles, R. Ellison made another try for the Derby in 1906 and succeeded in getting second and third money with his pair, Lady of Navarre and James Reddick, the winner being the favorite, Sir Huon. bred and owned by George J. Long, saddled by Pete Coyne and ridden by Roscoe Troxler. He was the third son of Falsetto to triumph in the race, though he was a tired horse at the the end of his journey. PINK STAR— 1907. J. Hal Woodfords Pink Star, son of Pink Coat, winner of the American Derby, trained by W. II. Fizer, and ridden by Andrew Minder, at odds of 15 to 1, won in 1907 from Zal and Ovelando. STONE STREET— 1908. In 1908, the year of the institution of the pari-mutuel system for a second era in Kentucky, the track was muddy and C. E. Hamiltons Stone Street, paying 23.60, won easily, with Sir Cleges, the favorite, Dunvegan, Synchronized and Banridge heads apart. It was a bad band. WINTERGREEN— 1909. Next year Wintergreen V. Powers won for Rome Respess and he was bred in Ohio, being a son of Dick Welles and the only horse foaled in the Buckeye State to win the race. DONAU— 1910. Then came Donau in 1910. He was a son of Woolsthorpe and owned by William Gerst of Nashville, Tenn. He beat Joe Morris and Fighting Bob in a close finish. All three were extreme outsiders in the betting. MERIDIAN— 1911. Meridian, by Broomstick, carrying the colors of R. F. Carman of New York, scored for the East in 1911, when he defeated the even money favorite. Governor Gray. WORTH— 1912. Again in 1912 the East was triumphant. Worth winning for H. C. Hallenbeck of New York. Worth was the favorite and led all the way, but was hard pressed by Gallaher Bros. Duval at the end. only a neck separating the two as they dashed past tho judges. DONERAIL— 1913. A western owner won in 1913. Ton Point, owned by A. E. Aste of New York, was a hot favorite, but after leading to the last sixteenth gave way to the rank outsider, Donerail, owned by T. P. Hayes of Lexington. Donerail paid 84.90 for in the mutuels and was the longest priced winner in the history of the Derby. OLD ROSEBUD— 1914. H Old Rosebud, son of Uncle", owned by H. | C. Applegate and Co. cf Louisville, and later B known as the "Miracle Horse," because of H his triumphant return to the races after B apparently breaking down, won the Derby HBVB in 1914 in 2:03%, the fastest time recorded H for the race since the distance was reduced HHVH to a mile and a quarter. HBVJ REGRET— 1915. M Regret, the only filly ever to win the Derby, HBVH | daughter cf Broomstick, owned by Harry HBVJ | Payne Whitney of New York, was the winner HBVJ la 1915, defeating fifteen other three-year-olds HBHj with the greatest ease after leading all the H GEORGE SMITH— 1916. M The honor of winnng the forty-second run- H , r.ing of the Derby fell to John Sanford of H Amsterdam. N. Y., when his back colt George H | Smith outlasted A. K. Macombers Star Hawk HHVH j under the masterly finish of jockey J. Loftus. HBVH OMAR KHAYYAM— 1917. H In 1917 Omar Khayyam was the first for- BVBV ! eign-bred to ever win the event. Omar Khay- HBVH I yam carried the colors of Billings and John- HBVH son. Shortly afterward the colt was sold H to W. Viau, the Montreal turfman. H EXTERMINATOR— 1918. VH In 1918 W. S. Kilmer purchased Exter- BVBVJ I minator a few days before the Derby after it HHVH was discovered that his great colt Sun Briar | would not be able to start and to the sur- BVBS prise of the vast crowd present that day car- ■■BS I ried off the big prize with his new purchase. H Exterminator afterward became one of the H most famous of American race horses, his H brilliant career on ihe turf being well known H to all devotees of racing. HBVH SIR BARTON— 1919. B The first and only Canadian owner to win H the Derby was J. K. L. Ross of Montreal. ■VBVJ when his Sir Barton and Billy Kelly finished fl first and second in 1919. Sir Barton was a H maiden when he started in the Derby, but he BVBV easily beat his more famous stablemate Billy H Kelly and proved to be the champion three- HBVH year-old of the year. HHBH PAUL JONES— 1920. B Seventeen started in 1920 and Paul Jones, | carrying the silks of Ral Parr and trained by | William Garth, surprised the vast assemblage H by triumphing over the Whitney and other | stars, finishing a head in front of Upset, with H On Watch third. H BEHAVE YOURSELF— 1921. VH In 1921 E. R. Bradley not only achieved hie | lifelong ambition of breeding and owning a H Derby winner, but had the extra satisfaction | of seeing two of his Idle Hour Stud horses HVBS finish first and second in that most coveted H race when Behave Yourself and Black Serv- HBVH ant led home the grand band of three-year- HBVB] olds that carried the silks and hopes of the H most propinent horsemen East an 1 West. H MORVICH— 1922. B Heralded far and wide as another Man o* H War, the unbeaten colt Morvich, champion H two-year-old of 1921, owned by Benjamin H Block of New York, a newcomer on the turf, H won the Derby of 1922. the rich— t in the | history of the race. Morvich, h wever, was HBVB] far from being another Man c War and H strange as it may seem the Lefc,. was the H
