The crowd was such as only a great race can bring out and then only in Kentucky. The railroads and steamboats from all directions poured thousands of people into the city and vehicles of every description from carriages to spring wagons kept up a steady procession out the driveways to the track, while an endless chain of street cars discharged their human freight at the jockey club gates. Over ten thousand people are officially reported to have paid admission, while thousands of ladies and complimented visitors doubtless brought the attendance up to the 15,000 mark. The stands and tall steps were packed and the crowd stood thick all along the broad space between the track and stand and extended down to the fence beyond the betting shed. A feature was the social prominence given the occasion and reminded one of the old times when Col. Clark set the fashion in Louisville and led the way on his tally-ho to the races.
The Courier-Journal gives the following statements from the judges:
“It was a great race—one of the greatest I ever saw. We can not but regret, however, that Mr. McGuigan did not have a jockey who could do his colt justice. With an exchange of riders Ben Brush would certainly have been beaten to-day. He is a race horse of the highest class, however, and I think this race will do him much good. There was no doubt in the world about the finish. Simms simply lifted Brush a foot or so in front at the last jump.”
For three-year-olds (foals of 1893), $5 to accompany the nomination; $15 to be paid May 1, 1895; $30 to be paid May 1, 1896; $100 additional to start. The Club to guarantee the value of the stakes to be $6,000, of which $700 to second and $300 to third. Colts to carry 122 pounds; geldings (at time of starting) 119 pounds; fillies 117 pounds. Those not having won a race for three-year-olds (without respect to sex) of the value of $1,500 allowed 5 pounds; maidens, 10 pounds. One mile and a quarter. 171 nominations.
Time at post 20 minutes; start good; won in a fierce drive. M. F. Dwyer’s b c Ben Brush, by Bramble—Roseville. Hot Springs Stable’s b c Ben Eder, by Fonso—Workmate. Fractional Time—:25, :49½, 1:15½, 1:42, 2:07¾
TWENTY-THIRD DERBY 1897
The twenty-third Kentucky Derby has been won and Typhoon II. wears the laurel wreath. It was a splendid race and the winner earned his victory fairly and honestly, leading from start to finish, winning a race that, for the track was extraordinarily fast, with the pick of three-year olds of the West behind him. Ornament was second, Dr. Catlett was third, Dr. Shepard fourth, Goshen fifth, and Ben Brown, the pride of Newport, last.
To Typhoon must be fairly conceded the race on its merits. He won squarely, fairly and honestly the prize, but it must also be as fairly conceded that he had to divide the honors. Probably two-thirds of the turfmen who saw the race still believe that Ornament is the better colt, and with equal luck, would have won, and while Typhoon showed great speed and endurance, Ornament added to this by as thrilling a display of gameness as was ever witnessed on a race course. With the worst of the going he raced from the whip like the true thoroughbred that he is, and in the last quarter, which is the crucial test, cut down Typhoon’s two lengths of daylight to a scant neck. Great colt as he is, it was a lucky win for Typhoon, and probably even his owner would not care to have him measure strides again with his so recently defeated opponent.