view raw text
» $ ft I Starter Hamiltons First Derby I LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 2.— A quick and splendid start in the Derby of 1931, won by Twenty Grand in track record time of 2:01*6, pleased starter William Hamilton more than j anything he has been able to do in his I eleven years as starter of that famous race. "I had been told that Anchors Aweigh was ! a notoriously bad post horse and when I got i him in his stall and the field away to a good start in about a minute and a half, the feeling of real accomplishment ran through me," Hamilton said. "For this fine start I must give much credit to the splendid, work of my ground crew." Hamilton started his first Derby field in 1926, when Bubbling Over was the winner. Prior to that he alternated for three years as starter with the late William Snyder, but in those years was not in the starters box for the Derby. Hamilton, who now resides in Hot Springs was born in Mindon, Mich., and received his training under the late A. B. Dade. He was with Dade, who died in 1923, for many years and has officiated as starter at all tracks of the American Turf Association, Hawthorne, Dade Park, Coney Island, Rockingham Park, Tropical Park and other courses. J