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Ponder Set Only Example for Silky 1949 Winner Also Late Kick Exponent Calumet Star Only One in Last 54 Years to Come From Last For Derby Win CHURCHILL DOWNS. Louisville. Ky., April 15. — A study of Daily Racing Forms official charts for the last 54 runnings of the Kentucky Derby reveals that only one horse— Ponder — had enough "kick" to trail the field at one stage of the race and then come on to win. Can Silky Sullivan emulate the Calumet flier? Ponder was slowest of all the 14 starters in the 1949 Derby to leave the starting gate. At the end of a half mile, he was one length behind the thirteenth horse, and some 16 lengths back of the leader. After six furlongs the Calumet colt had only two horses beaten, and was still about eight lengths off the pacemaker. Ponder caught the. leaders in the last eighth and pulled away to win by three lengths. He was the 13th colt in the 54-year period to be called on top for the first time at the final pole. Recalling Needles Drive Bold Venture, winner of the Derby in 1936, came out of the gate next to last. Gold Seeker was the only starter in that field of 14 to trail the winner when they left the starting gate. Bold Venture, however, moved up much more quickly than did Ponder. By the time the 1936 field had gone a half mile only seven horses were in front of him. Just two years ago the winner Needles was far back in the field for much of the early running. Five horses were behind him at the start of the 1956 race, which attracted 17 horses. After a half mile of racing all but High King had passed him. The horses had run three-quarters of a -* ! mile and Needles still had only High King beaten. Like Ponder, Needles was never called in front in the chart until he reached the finish wire. Two other Derby winner since 1903 also appeared hopelessly out of contention shortly after the start of their respective Derby appearances. Thirteen horses started in the 1933 Derby, and again in the 1934 renewal. In each running the eventual winner got away from the gate in 11th position. Brokers Tip, winner in 1933, remained in 11th place after a half mile of racing, did not get into contention until the stretch, and his last call was the first time he was placed at the head of the field. Cavalcade, 1934 winner, moved up on his competition much more rapidly, but was called on top only at the wire. During the same 54 years 11 horses have been first away from the start and have led throughout the mile and one-quarter. The last winner ,to Ao this was Maine Chance Farms Jet Pilot in 1947. Others that led throughout, accordingly to the charts, have been Count Fleet, Bubbling Over, Paul Jones, Sir Barton, Regret, Old Rosebud, Worth, Meridian. Wintergreen, and Agile. . * Hill Gail, 1952 winner, broke first, was taken back off the lead, and did not get the number one call again until six furlongs had been raced. Not since Exterminator won the big race in 1918 has an eventual winner taken first place, lost the lead, and then regained it to win. Exterminator was in front of Es-coba by a head after a mile, trailed the same horse by tliat margin as they reached the stretch, then won by a length. Elwood, winner in 1904, went from fourth at the mile to last at the stretch call, then came on to win in the final eighth of a mile. Swaps, Dark Star, Hoop, Jr., Johnstown, War Admiral, Clyde Van Dusen, Zev, and Donau have been winners since 1903 who did notJea%e the start on top, but gained the lead in a short distance and held it until the finish. PONDER leading Capot across the Magical line.
