Blue Peter Triumphs: Favorite Wins Epsom Derby Before Crowd of More Than 500,000.; French Colt, Fox Cub, Is Second, and Heliopolis Third--Two American-Owned Horses Fail to Place., Daily Racing Form, 1939-05-25

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BLUE PETER TRIUMPHS Favorite Wins Epsom Derby Before Crowd of IVIore Than 500,000. French Colt, Fox Cub, Is Second, and Heliopolis Third — Two American-Owned Horses Fail to Place. Special Cablegram. EPSOM, England, May 24— Blue Peter won the Epsom Derby today as a favorite should. Coming from behind after six furlongs, Lord Roseberys 7 to 2 shot xan his rivals into the ground and completed the mile, eight hundred j and eighty-five yards course four lengths before his nearest rival, the French invader Fox Cub, belonging to Edouard Esmond. Third in the field of twenty-seven was Lord Derbys Heliopolis. Casanova, was fourth, Buxton fifth, Hypnotist, William Woodwards American-owned hope sixth, Admirals Walk, stablemate of the victor seventh and Pointis was eighth. Salford Hn the only other American-owned horse in the field, finished next to last. Blue Peter ran the distance in 2:36% and was ridden by jockey Ephriam Smith, and saddled by Jack Jarvis. It was the first I Derby victory for owner, trainer and rider. The winners share of the stakes was 2,750 and a ,000 gold trophy. The field was at the post only about two minutes when the barrier was released at 3:01 p. m. to a good start. Bellman showed a brief flash of speed but was soon overtaken by Heliopolis, one of the choices. Wheatland was in second place with Larch-field, Buxton, Hastings, Dhoti and Romeo H. in close pursuit. This order obtained for half a mile. Near the Gorse Bushes, Larchfield took the lead but Heliopolis and Wheatland were still lapped on him and the gray Rogerstone Castle was in the forefront. HYPNOTIST IN PICTURE. After six furlongs the many Americans present had a chance to shout for Hypnotist loomed in the picture, running among the first five. At the halfway mark, Larchfield was half a length in front but suddenly Smith moved on the favorite. The big chestnut seemed to come from nowhere with a rush for he was in second place as they neared Tattenham Corner, with Heliopolis, Casanova and the tiring Rogerstone Castle in his wake. Rounding the corner half a mile from home, the favorite drew out steadily. He passed the cheering thousands i Continued on thirty-fifth page BLUE PETERJRIUMPHS Continued from first page. gathered along the bend on the rail, two lengths in front of Heliopolis with Fox Cub moving up fast under Gordon Richards powerful ride to go into third place. The race was virtually over at this point, though no one realized it. In the long pull up hill to the judges stand, Blue Peter gradually increased his advantage as Smith sat still and used his whip sparingly. A furlong from home, it was Blue Peter by three lengths, while Fox Cub had finally put away the persistent Heliopolis. The favorite gradually increased his lead in the short run to the stands. More than 500,000 people saw the classic, the worlds most famous race in traditional picnic style. When the horses left the paddock to go to the" post they had to pick their way through crowds, parked in the infield and on the famous Downs. Only twenty-seven of the twenty-nine final acceptances faced the barrier. Rhoderic Dhu and Snow Cap were late withdrawals.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1930s/drf1939052501/drf1939052501_1_3
Local Identifier: drf1939052501_1_3
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800