Betting—Ben Ali $500, Free Knight $370, Blue Wing $260, Jim Gray $115; field $140.
THIRTEENTH DERBY 1887
The morning was cloudy and threatening, and it rained all around but fortune seems to favor the Louisville Jockey Club, and only a few drops of rain fell during the day. The attendance was very large, the Grand Stand, betting grounds and inner space were packed with people, so much so that navigation was almost impossible; the inner field was full of people and vehicles and the crowd lining the inner fence extended from the head of the stretch down past the Grand Stand and for an eighth of a mile around the first turn.
The Derby was a fairly good race, as the track was slower than many supposed. In our issue of last week we selected Banburg, Jacobin and Jim Gore as the three placed horses, and at the same time stated that the form shown by Montrose at Lexington was not his true form, but was unable to say what was the matter with the colt. We expressed the opinion that we thought Jim Gore would win the Derby if he did not break down in the race, and unfortunately his leg gave away at the half mile pole, so his jockey, Fitzpatrick, stated, and that he could not have lost the race except for the accident. Banburg could not extend himself in the race to-day; he neither had speed or bottom, from some cause, and did not begin to show the form he did at Lexington in the Phoenix Stakes. Montrose took the lead as the lot entered the main stretch, and was never afterwards headed. Taken as a lot the Derby colts this season were inferior to last year, save and except Jim Gore, who is a real grand young horse, who struggled gamely and finished second, after breaking down a half mile away from the finish.
The start was a beautiful one, Jacobin in the lead, Ban Yan second, Banburg third, followed by Jim Gore, Clarion, Montrose and Pendennis. Entering the stretch Montrose led a length, Ban Yan second, Banburg third, rest bunched. Passing the stand Montrose led a length, Ban Yan second, Banburg third, Jacobin, Jim Gore, Clarion and Pendennis following in close order. No change at the quarter, but at the half Banburg took second place, and they went around the turn pretty closely bunched, Montrose still leading a length. Entering the stretch Montrose still led; Jim Gore who was seen to falter at the half rallied and took second place as they entered the stretch, but was never able to get on even terms with Montrose who held his lead, and won by a length and a half, Jim Gore second a length in front of Jacobin third same in front of Banburg fourth, Clarion fifth, Ban Yan sixth, Pendennis beaten a hundred yards, seventh. First half mile 52, first mile 1:45½, race 2:39¼.
DESCRIPTION OF THE WINNER
Montrose is a bay colt, blaze face and several white feet, has neat head and neck, rather light body but clean legs, by Duke of Montrose, out of Patti by imp. Billet, her dam Dora by Pat Malloy, out of Etta, Jr. by Bill Alexander, her dam Etta by Star Davis, &c., &c.