SUMMARY
The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds, $100 entrance, half forfeit, with $1,500 added, of which $200 to second. 1½ miles, 47 entries, four of whom are dead. Value $3,850.
| J. S. Shawhan’s ch c Fonso, by King Alfonso, dam imp Weatherwitch, 105 lbs., Lewis | 1 | |
| W. Cortrill’s ch c Kimball, by Buckden, dam Meta H., 105 lbs., Lakeland | 2 | |
| M. Young’s ch c Bancroft, by Bonnie Scotland, dam Planchette, 105 lbs., Murphy | 3 | |
| W. C. McGavock & Co.’s ch c Boulevard, by Bonnie Scotland, dam Mariposa, 105 lbs., Allen | 0 | |
| Dwyer Bros.’ b c Quito, by King Alfonso, dam Crucifix, 105 lbs., McLaughlin | 0 | |
| Time—2:37½ | ||
Betting—Kimball $700, Quito $362, Fonso $222, Bancroft $50, Boulevard $——.
SEVENTH DERBY 1881
On Tuesday morning, “Derby Day,” the sun rose clear and not a cloud was to be seen, which with westerly wind was the precursor of a gloriously fine day. The attendance was very large. All the stands and betting enclosures were inconveniently crowded, and in the inner field the rails for near a quarter of a mile were lined with people from six to ten deep, while the field, clad in the greenest of spring verdure, was thickly dotted over with every variety of conveyance, from the cart to the splendid coach and landau.
For the Kentucky Derby, only half a dozen sported silk for this valuable and important event. Hindoo was such a big favorite that little money was wagered on him, he being the favorite at 5 to 2 over the field. The race was never in doubt, but Hindoo had to have the whip, his jockey giving him two raps as he entered the stretch, and he won easy at the finish by four lengths, Lelex beating Alfambra half a length for second place. The official time of the race, 2:40, is not correct, but will have to stand. The party throwing the flag threw it as soon as the drum tapped, long before the horses reached the pole. The correct time is 2:38½.
Calycanthus was not disposed to join his horses, but was finally brought up, Lelex in the lead, Calycanthus second, Hindoo third, Getaway fourth, Alfambra fifth, Sligo sixth. Before reaching the three-quarter pole Calycanthus took the lead, with Lelex second, Hindoo third. Passing the stand Calycanthus was half a length in front of Hindoo, second, who was a like distance ahead of Lelex, third, followed by Sligo, Alfambra and Getaway. At the quarter Hindoo was a head in front of Calycanthus, Lelex third, Sligo fourth. Before reaching the half Lelex was a length in front and the cry went up that Hindoo, who was second, was beaten, Sligo third. On the lower turn Hindoo moved up and showed in front, and on entering the stretch began to loaf a little, and his jockey gave him a couple of raps with the whip as a reminder, and he came away and won easy at the finish by four lengths. Lelex beat Alfambra a half length for second place, after a whipping race home. Sligo two lengths from Alfambra, fourth, Getaway fifth, Calycanthus sixth. Mile, 1:47½; race, 2:40.