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MRS. ELIZABETH N. GRAHAM— Had the pleasure of seeing Jet Pilot carry her red, white and blue colors to victory in the Kentucky Derby. Jet Pilot Wins Kentucky Derby By Head Over Favored Phalanx Maine Chance Colt Sets Pace Throughout in Downs Fixture Faultless Finishes Third and On Trust Fourth As Crowd Estimated at 1 10,000 Looks On; Runner-Up Stages Strong Stretch Run to Come Within Inches of Catching Victor CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 3.— Jet Pilot won the seventy-third Kentucky Derby "the hard way" before a record crowd of about 110,000 turf enthusiasts here this afternoon. Dashing into the lead at the outset of the historic mile and one-quarter event, he then withstood the favored Phalanx and Faultless in a tense and dramatic blanket finish. Mrs. Elizabeth Grahams 1,000 son of Blenheim II. was admirably rated by jockey Eric Guerin while discouraging the speed horses and had to weather a terrific stretch run uncorked by the Whitney and Calumet colts to win by a head in 2:064/ on a slow track. Phalanx, who went away at about 2 to 1 on the "tote" neons, did not have •a horse beaten midway the backstretch but might have won in a few more strides. Faultless rated along about midway of the field of 13 to the "hot corner," and finished between Jet Pilot and Phalanx, beaten two heads for the lions share of 2,160. A length away On Trust was a steady fourth. Bullet Proof, Cosmic Bomb, Star Reward and Double Jay all "fired and fell back" after following Jet Pilots busy pace over the first mile. Running Time of 2:06% It was one of the tightest of all Derby finishes and the successful Jet Pilot returned his jubilant backers 2.80 for . Mrs. Elizabeth Graham, whose highly fancied three-horse entry had failed in the 46 Derby, was present to see her "little red horse" complete the job alone today, but the colt was led in by trainer Tom Smith. Gov. Simeon Willis of the Blue Grass State presented the ,000 gold trophy in the fanfare of the winners circle ceremonies. Jet Pilot was bred at Claiborne Farm, near Paris, Ky., by A. B. Hancock and the R. A. Van Cliefs of Virginia and sold to Mrs. Graham at auction. This Derby differed from some of the others in that it was remarkably free of interference. The fractions were fairly even for a "Run of the Roses," with the first six furlongs in 1:14%, the mile in 1:40%, and the final time of 2:064/5, was a mere fifth of a second off Assaults time in pretty much the same going last year. It was the first Derby for Jet Pilots owner, trainer or rider, but his sire got the Derby record holder Whirlaway, after a syndicate had imported him from England for 50,000 in 1936. Mrs. Graham bought him because of his blood lines and individuality, in the hope he would develop into a prospective sire for her Maine Chance Farm, and he now has the performance record for it, as he last year won the Pimlico Futurity. He now has earned 92,-490, which is extraordinary for expensive Continued on Page Three MaSSr iBSEandk win; V W ay wH :V H: ■■■■■■■ -v VR . ftWMand»;andoandaand ■■•■ ■: ■■■■■ ■ :■ ?■ ■■■ ■ -*a3!* «* ilPIr Sl BaMUMMMai|MMAaiMHiiBHBlaa||iaaaaaaa JET PILOT — Registered a smashing victory in seventy-third Kentucky Derby Jet Pilot Wins Kentucky Derby by Head Over Phalanx in Front-Running Style Fashions Most of Pace and* ► Withstands Closing Bid of Runner-Up; Faultless Is Third Continued from Page One yearlings and, of course, will now be pointed for the "Triple Crown." This wasnt quite the richest renewal of the stake, for there were 17 starters last spring, when Assault picked up 6,400 of his spectacular seasons record of 24,195. But it was indicated that the play might compare with the Derby Day mark of ,-608,208, last season, when a total of ,202,-474 was wagered on the big race alone. The extraordinary thing about the 46 play was that the total was reached in spite of inadequate tote facilities, and these accommodations were increased today. The second, third and fourth horses at the finish won prizes that scaled down from 0,000 to ,000 and ,500, and the club made its customary awards to the trainers and breeders. Those who saddled the first three got ,000, ,000 and ,000, respectively, and the breeders ,000, ,000 and 00. There are a lot of other bonuses paid by owners, like the riders customary 10 per cent and "stakes" for the grooms, exercise boys and others of the winners retinue. Col. Matt J. Winn estimated that "it is the largest crowd weve had at a Derby," and, of course, you know that he has seen all 73 of them. The genial Kentuckian reported a crowd of 102,000 for the race last May, and there were more Derby trains and planes than ever heretofore. The total wagered on todays Derby was a world record of ,253,042 for a single race. There were 12 betting units with Balheim scratched at 1:05 p. m. today, and Stepfather and W L Sickle running as the W-L Ranch entry. There was a change of riders on W L Sickle when Conn McCrearys ► plane was grounded at an airport and Robert Campbell got the mount. Derby Day dawned gray and chilly, but the thousands of gatemen found thousands of enthusiasts lined up before the entrances when they were opened at 8 a. m. There was a steady stream of trolleys right up to post time for the big race. There were perhaps 30,000 fans in the inner-field and on the roofs of shedrow and the field stands. A comparative few were under shelter of the stands, which seats some 36,000, but the threat of a shower never quite materialized. There were bands in the inner field and stands, and orchestras in the lounges to entertain the crowd between races. The governors of seven states were present, and official Washington was well represented. Admiral Halsey, General Wainwright, Jim Farley, Happy Chandler, Herbert Swope, C. V. Whitney, William Helis, Warren Wright, Harry and Albert Warner, Charles Mrs. Elizabeth Graham, Fred Hooper and, Fisher, Prince and Princess Djordjadze, in short, "everybody," was on hand. There was the usual roar of approval from the huge crowd as the band struck up "My Old Kentucky Home" and the field emerged from under the stand for the post parade, then the usual lull as the horses reached the gate atop the long home lane. All were well behaved with the exception of Jett-Jett, who unseated jockey W. Hanka and popped out of his stall, running away about a furlong when he was caught by. the alert outrider, Frank Sanders, a former jockey. The first race on the Derby Day program was called to the post at 11:30 a. m. and the early crowd immediately installed Bolo Prince, from the J. P. Keezek stable, a 7 to 5 favorite. Bolo Prince, ridden by apprentice Harold Featherston, made good in convincing fashion, stepping to the finish of the six furlongs sprint a length and one-half before K. Cookie, who came from well back to earn the place by four and one-half lengths over the early pacemaker, Mr. Pharned, third in the field of six starters. The Keezek gelding raced the three-quarters over the soft footing in 1:15%. Six ordinary three-year-olds met in the Case Ace Purse and F. Spellmans favored Chance Bea, handled by Bobby Campbell, romped to an easy four-lengths verdict. Hot and High finished second in the six and one-half furlongs event, while Spring Fiesta ran third. Chance Bea went to the front at the start and after a brief duel with Hot and High, drew out to win with something left. Running time was 1:21% and Chance Bea was held at even money. N. Spechts Diavoloman drove to a game victory in the one mile Kentucky Colonels Purse under a hustling ride by Robert O. Gonzalez. Darby Dimout, favored for the test, reached the lead in the stretch, but was unable to hold his advantage and was beaten a head while saving second honors by a length over the fast-finishing Sweep Singer. Diavoloman, second choice, paid slightly better than 3 to 1 after stepping the eight furlongs over the dull track in 1:40%. William Helis colors were carried to a front -running decision in the one mile Bull Lea Purse by End of Strife, who had the saddle services of Shelby Clark. End of Strife assumed command at the start and moved along steadily until reaching the stretch. Continuing gamely when ridden out, the Helis gelding defeated Dixianas Galloway by a length and a quarter.
