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Phoenix Handicap at Lexington Was First Decided in 1831 CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 1. — While the Kentucky Derby has the distinction of being the oldest stake to be run annually since its inaugural in 1875, the Keeneland Race Course, located near Lexington in the heart of the Blue Grass sector, presented the one hundred and first running of the Phoenix Handicap this spring. The Phoenix, however, hasnt been decided consecutively. The race had its inaugural in 1831 and the winner was Mc-Donough. The American Racing Manual, which carries records of all stakes contested both here and in other countries, states that the early history of the Phoenix Handicap is clouded in obscurity. It is known that the Phoenix Hotel Stakes was inaugurated at Lexington, Ky., in 1831, and subsequently run under other names. Included in the list of Phoenix winners are such great thoroughbred names as Hill Gail, 1952; Coaltown, 1948; Almadel, Percentage, Easy Mon, Devil Diver, Miss Dog wood, Agile, Goshen, Lexington, Ten Broeck, Vagrant, Himyar and Falsetto, among others. The 1953 renewal of the Phoenix went to Mrs. Ada L. Rices Illinois-owned Pet Bully, who turned in an unusually game performance in defeating Calumets Hill Gail by a nose margin after a hotly-contested stretch duel. Pet Bully, however, enjoyed a 10 pounds pull in the weights over last years Kentucky Derby victor, who was making his first appearance under silks since his Churchill Downs Derby accounting.
