Day Star is a chestnut colt, with star and light stripe down the face, three white stockings, a little white on the left hind pastern, and gray hairs scattered through the flank. He is 15 hands 2½ inches high, is an extremely handsome colt, neat head, stout strong neck, well inclined shoulders, extraordinary short stout back, well coupled, broad flat ribs, drops down full in the flank, good hips and quarters, immense stifles, broad flat legs which he keeps well under him and has an extra turn of speed. Day Star was bred by Jno. M. Clay, Esq., Ashland, near Lexington, Ky., and purchased a yearling by T. J. Nichols, Paris, Ky., for $825, by Star Davis out of Squeez’em by Lexington, her dam Skedaddle by imp. Yorkshire, out of Magnolia, by imp. Glencoe, the dam of Daniel Boone, Kentucky Gilroy, &c., &c. Day Star has a double Glencoe cross through his sire Star Davis, and his great grandam Magnolia.

SUMMARY

The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds; $50 p. p., with $1,500 added; second to have $200. Dash of 1½ miles. 56 nominations, three of whom are dead. Value $4,150. Colts 100 lbs., fillies 97 lbs.

T. J. Nichols’ ch c Day Star, by Star Davis, dam Squeez’em, Carter 1
B. G. Thomas’ b c Himyar, by Alarm, dam Hira, Robinson 2
R. H. Owen’s b c Leveller, by Lever, dam Sly Boots, Swim 3
L. P. Tarlton, Jr.’s b c Solicitor by Enquirer, dam Sallie, Edward 0
Gen. A. Buford’s ch c McHenry, by Enquirer, dam Ontario, James 0
Rodes & Carr’s b c Respond, by Enquirer, dam by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Ramey 0
J. M. Wooding’s ch c Burgundy, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, dam La Bluette, L. Jones 0
A. Straus & Co.’s ch c Earl of Beaconsfield, by Enquirer, dam Geneura, Mahoney 0
Jennings & Hunt’s b c Charlie Bush, by John Morgan, dam Annie Bush, Miller 0
Time—2:37¼

Betting—Himyar $305; Field $110. With Himyar out, Day Star, Burgundy and Leveller sold about even.

FIFTH DERBY 1879

For the Kentucky Derby, Lord Murphy was made the favorite at nearly even against the field, and fully justified the high opinion in which he is held by his friends in running the fastest Kentucky Derby on record. His trainer, George H. Rice, brought him to the post in the pink of order. Though Falsetto and Strathmore were defeated they lost no credit and proved themselves excellent colts, and we should not be surprised to see Falsetto rank yet with the best of the year.

The entire lot went away like a platoon of cavalry in line to a beautiful start, Gen. Pike in the lead, Strathmore second, Lord Murphy, who got knocked to his knees on the first turn, third, Wissahicon fourth, Trinidad fifth, One Dime sixth, Ada Glen seventh, Buckner eighth, Falsetto ninth. Half way round the turn the lot were so closely bunched that it was impossible to distinguish the colors in the clouds of dust. At the three-quarter pole Ada Glen was first, lapped by Gen. Pike, Strathmore and Lord Murphy. At the stand Gen. Pike was a head in front of Strathmore second, he lapped by Trinidad, then came the second division a length off, composed of One Dime, Wissahicon, Lord Murphy and Ada Glen, followed by Buckner eighth and Falsetto ninth. They had hardly gone under the string until Strathmore was a length in front of Gen. Pike, who was lapped by Trinidad. Going round the turn the pace was fast, Strathmore still leading at the quarter pole. Just after passing the quarter Lord Murphy took second place, One Dime third, Gen. Pike and Trinidad dropping back. Before reaching the half-mile Lord Murphy lapped and showed in front of Strathmore second, One Dime third, Falsetto fourth. Lord Murphy was a length in front on the lower turn and at the three-quarter pole, Strathmore second, two lengths in front of One Dime third, who was lapped by Falsetto. Entering the stretch Falsetto came with a rush and passed One Dime and Strathmore and half way down lapped Lord Murphy. A most exciting race took place between the pair to within forty yards of the stand, where Lord Murphy drew clear and won the race by a length and a half, Falsetto second, three lengths in front of Strathmore third, followed by Trinidad fourth, Ada Glen fifth, One Dime sixth, Gen. Pike seventh, Buckner eighth, Wissahicon ninth. Mile 1:45; race 2:37.