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i Airborne Captures Rich Epsom Derby Gulf Stream Finishes Second And Radiotherapy Third as Crowd of 500,000 Looks On EPSOM, England, June 5. — Reuters. — J. E. Fergusons Airborne, starting at 50 to 1 in the betting, won the first post war running of the famous Epsom Derby, worth 0,000, on its home grounds here today before a crowd estimated at 500,000. Ridden by Tom Lowrey and trained at Newmarket by R. Perryman, Airborne won the mile and one-half contest by a length in 2:44% from Lord Derbys Gulf Stream, one-time favorite, who started at 7 to 1, with Tom Lilleys Radiotherapy, 8 to 1, two lengtns away in third place. Lord Astors Fast and Fair was originally placed third in error, but his number was soon hauled down for that of Radiotherapy, who carried similar colors. One furlong from home, Gulf Stream looked all over a winner and was being cheered by the huge crowd when the gray Airborne came into the picture rapidly and took everybodys breath away with a storming final spurt that carried him to victory in the last 100 yards. In six previous outings, Airborne had only managed to score once in a moderate maiden race last month. In the 1945 Free Handicap, he was allotted a modest 108 pounds, compared with Gulf Streams 134. Happy Knight Never Figures in Running Happy Knight, Two Thousand Guineas winner, who ousted Gulf Stream as favorite just before the race began, starting at 5 to 1, was off well, but never figured seri-ouly in the final stages of the race. It was a dismal morning, with a heavy rain and leaden skies, but a royal occasion, nevertheless, with the King, Queen, Princess Elizabeth and Queen Mary driving down the course. Just before the start of the race, the sun broke through and a big patch of blue sky appeared. From a good start, Happy Knight showed in front of Peterborough and Bridle Path. After a half mile, however, Gulf Stream was in front, followed by Qui Va Va, Royal Continued on Page Thirty I i I i i Airborne Whips Gulf Stream In Renewal of Epsom Derby Continued from Page One Commisison, Khaled, Neapolitan and Happy Knight. Going down Tattenham Hill, Khaled took command and Peterborough moved again to take the runner-up position, followed by Happy Knight. Khaled was still in front at Tattenham Corner, closely pursued by Peterborough, but, entering the straightaway, the two pacemakers began to weaken and Edward Tudor went to the front, followed by Gulf Stream on the rail and Radiotherapy on the outside. Airborne was right on their heels at this point, but when Gulf Stream was let down a quarter mile from home he quickly settled Edward Tudor and Radiotherapy was challenged by Airborne in the center of the course. Gulf Stream and Airborne were level a hundred yards from the finish, but Airborne showed the better reserve in the final drive to score in a thrilling finish. Following the first three across the line came White Jacket, with Peterborough I fifth, Edward Tudor sixth, Royal Commission seventh and Khaled eighth. King George sent for the owner of the winner to congratulate him and the Queen and Princess Elizabeth added their congratulations, i While this was the first Derby success for the Perryman-Lowrey combination, they won the Saint Leger with Chamossaire last year, but this was Fergusons first classic victory. Pre-race scenes were reminiscent of pre- , war, except that the inclement weather , probably accounted for the crowd arriving , later than usual. Once there, it was the , same crowd, typical of Epsom on Derby Day, and the ovation which the ropay party received on their arrival echoed across the downs to the town, more than a half-mile distant. An illustration of luck in racing comes from the fact that Airborne was bought for Ferguson by trainer Walter Earl for 3,000 as a yearling and Earl is the present trainer of todays second horse, Gulf Stream. Bill Nevett, the jockey on White Jacket, said he thinks he would have won but for I a Tattenham Corner episode when he was I I I nearly bumped by Happy Knight and when his mount recovered and got going again, the race was over.
