A droning buzz as if from 45,000 human bees, a sudden silence as felt before a storm, and then an outburst of sound over topped in volume by the rebel yell let out by Uncle Billy Garth, of Virginia, thousands of fluttering spasms of dying thrills, and then the finish of the forty-sixth Kentucky Derby passed into history.

Running a great and game race, that did credit to his illustrious namesake, Paul Jones, a son of Sea King and May Florence, led from start to finish of the mile and a quarter, and won under a drive by a good neck. Fighting it out to the last ounce of endeavor, Harry Payne Whitney’s Upset, that owner’s home bred son of Whisk Broom II. and Pankhurst, finished in second place, with four lengths to spare over George W. Loft’s On Watch, who was early favorite in the winter books for this big event.

On Watch was four lengths in front of Damask another of the Whitney entry, while Donnacona, the other of the Loft pair to start, was fifth, with Blazes, stable mate of Paul Jones, sixth. The race was worth $30,375 to the winner, and there was $4,000 for Upset, who ran second, and $2,000 for On Watch, as the short end of the rich purse, while Damask saved his entry fee when he finished in fourth place, $275.

For once, the monster throng, many of whom had witnessed many other Derbies, awakened to a perfect day, just as perfect as a day in June, but the track was slow, as was evidenced by the time of 2:09. The record for this race was made by Old Rosebud, who did the distance in 2:03?.

The start of the race could not have been better, the seventeen thoroughbreds getting away in almost perfect alignment, after having been at the post less than four minutes.Paul Jones was the first to show in front, following the rise of the barrier, but pounding along at his throat-latch was Prince Pal, with the others following closely. By the time the leader had reached a point opposite the padlock gate, a few hundred yards from the starting line, the others had begun to string out.

On they came with Paul Jones showing the way. As the field passed the grandstand, the first time, Jockey Ted Rice nestled low in the saddle. He was rating his mount nicely and the son of Sea King was eager to run. On they sped around the first turn and into the back stretch. Here By Golly made his move for the honor and glory that goes to the winner of the Derby. He hung close to the heels of Paul Jones as they swung into the straight-away, and then fell back beaten.

Wildair took up the chase. He closed to the saddle girth of the Parr winner and they swept along at a tearing pace. One or the other must falter, the crowd knew, but Paul Jones proved his mettle. Wildair dropped back.

On Watch then drew the gaze of the spectators. As the field passed the half-mile post he shot forward and sped past his tiring opposition. On he continued as they rounded the last turn, and an old horseman shouted.

“On Watch wins.”

But On Watch had spent himself and all the courage and stamina at his command could not overhaul the driving duo out front. At the furlong pole Paul Jones met his sternest test. He seemed to be weakening from the long, hard struggle. Upset appeared to be the stronger. But Jockey Rice again called on his game little mount and Paul Jones did as Hanover or Hindoo would have done. He would not be denied.Paul Jones met challenge with challenge and at the close displayed a heart of iron as he drove madly under the wire with Upset at his throat-latch.

Throughout the stretch the twain waged a heartrending duel. As they took the final turn Upset made his bid. Inch by inch he forged past rump and flank and withers. He stretched fiery nostrils alongside the gelding’s throat. Only the blazed face remained between him and victory. On they came past the furlong pole, and still the blazed face would not be dislodged. It remained there to the end.

This triumph of the East was more than a victory for Kentucky. The ugly little brown boasts blood that long has been the pride of the Blue Grass. His dam is by Hamburg, which got Jersey Lightning, the dam of Regret, and Hamburg’s sire was the immortal Hanover, by Hindoo, winner of the Kentucky Derby of 1881. Hindoo was from the loins of Virgil out of Florence, by Lexington, and he by Boston, the great Boston.

SUMMARY

May 8, 1920. Track slow. $30,000 added. Value to winner $30,375, second, $4,000, third $2,000, fourth $275. Time—23?, 48?, 1.14?, 1.42, 2.09.

Damask, 126, E. Ambrose; Donnacona, 126, W. J. O’Brien; Blazes, 126, C. Kummer; By Golly, 126, L. Lyke; Wildair, 126, L. Fator; Bersagliere, 126, T. Murray; Patches, 126, J. Hanover; Herron, 126, J. Butwell; Sandy Beal, 126, I. Williams; Prince Pal, 126, A. Schuttinger; David Harum, 126, C. Fairbrother; Cleopatra, 121, L. McAtee; Peace Pennant, 126, M. Garner; Sterling, 126, J. Callahan.

Winner, Brown Gelding, by Sea King-May Florence, by Hamburg. Owned by R. Parr. Trained by Wm. Garth.

Transcriber’s Note:

The original text does not contain a Table of Contents. The Table of Contents included near the beginnning of this file was created by the transcriber as an aid for the reader.

The mismatched parenthesis on page 10 is presented as in the original. Otherwise, punctuation errors have been corrected without note.

Other than the corrections noted by hover information, inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation have been retained.