Seldom in the history of Churchill Downs has there been a prettier start in the Derby than that of to-day. At the post less than a minute, the horses wheeled in perfect alignment and were away like a shot. Jimmie Gill had a momentary advantage, but was headed by Ten Point in a flash and the big Easterner passed the stand for the first time two lengths to the good. Foundation was in second place, with Yankee Notions third, and Leochares the Gowell close up, and Jimmie Gill by this time a trailer.

Ten Point was rank and Buxton had difficulty restraining him in the next quarter, causing him to go the first half in 0:47? and adding another length’s advantage over the others. Foundation was still in second place, and Yankee Notions, running well within himself, half a length away, with Gowell fourth next the inner rail. Donerail, on which Goose was riding a perfect race, was beginning to steel up in steady fashion. Gowell was given bungling handling by the diminutive McCabe and was also suffering from bumping. Leochares was thoroughly done for after the first half, and Lord Marshall and Jimmie Gill were also out of it to all intents and dropped rearward steadily. There was a general closing up by the first five in the next quarter, but Ten Point still held to a slight lead until the stretch turn was reached, where Buxton found his mount wavering and he began using his whip. At this time Yankee Notions was passing Foundation, and the supporters of the Knapp representative gave a shout of joy, for it was expected by them if Yankee Notions got to Ten Point before the stretch turn he would make short shift of the favorite in the battle to the finish.

Unexpectedly, Yankee Notions weakened just when his chances appeared best and the Ten Point supporters again took heart, but their hopes went glimmering shortly after when Donerail shot out of the bunch and headed the others in the last furlong. In the final drive Donerail easily held his own. Ten Point and Foundation were struggling gamely for the place at the last furlong post when the colt seemed to bore over a trifle. In the last sixteenth Foundation began weakening and Ten Point managed to get clear of him, but another menace loomed up for place honors in the shape of Gowell, though he succeeded in passing the finishing line in advance of her. Foundation was fourth and Yankee Notions fifth, the rest were distant trailers, with Leochares the whipper in.

A warm reception awaited the winner when the boy returned to the judges’ stand to weigh in. Jockey R. Goose was probably happier than Owner T. P. Hayes.

It devolved on Governor James B. McCreary to present Jockey Goose with the bouquet of flowers given by the New Louisville Jockey Club to the winning jockey of the day. He said:

“Young man, I congratulate you. The highest compliment that any person can receive in life is that of success. You have met with great success to-day and are deserving of the honor now bestowed upon you. You were on a gallant horse and you rode a brilliant race.”

Jockey Goose, in reply, bashfully said:

“Governor, I more than appreciate your compliment. I regard it as the greatest afternoon in my whole life for the reason that I was born and reared in Louisville and I have won Louisville’s greatest race. I will never forget this day as long as I live. I will say for my mount that he did all I asked of him throughout the race. He held his position well in the early part and finished staunch and game when I called on him in the stretch. While I rode him to the best of my ability, I was on a good horse to-day.”

FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF THE RACE

Kentucky Derby; one mile and a quarter; for three-year olds; $5,000 added; net value to winner $5,475. Fractional Time—0:23?, 0:47?, 1:12?, 1:39?, 2:04?, new record.

Donerail, the winner of the thirty-ninth Kentucky Derby, was raised on John S. Barbee’s Glen-Helen Farm, near Lexington. Mr. Barbee keeps all of Mr. Hayes’ mares. Ten Point, the second horse, was also raised on Mr. Barbee’s farm. Donerail gets his name from Donerail, a flag station near Lexington on the Q. & C. Railway.

Donerail was sired by imp. McGee, a stallion owned by Charles W. Moore, Mere Hill Stud, near Lexington. McGee was imported from England by E. Corrigan and raced in this country by that turfman with much success.

Algie M., the dam of Donerail, is by Hanover out of Johnetta, by Bramble. Her sire lines are those of Kentucky Derby winners, Hanover, her sire, having gotten Halma, winner of the event in 1895, which in turn, sired Alan-a-Dale the victor in the race in 1902, whereas Bramble, sire of her grandam, got Ben Brush, the Kentucky Derby winner of 1896.

Donerail is a nicely made colt of more than average height, being close to 16 hands high. He has never been credited with speed of the sprinting order, but what he can do is of the rating sort, which tells for a lot in his favor in a long race. He started eighteen times last season, winning four times, finishing second four, and third six times. This season he ran three times previous to the Derby to-day, his best race being in the Blue Grass Stakes, at Lexington, in which he ran second to Foundation, at a mile and an eighth, run in 1:51?.

The Kentucky Derby of to-day was the richest race in the history of that classic, being worth $6,600 gross. Of this, the second horse, Ten Point, won $700, and the third horse, Gowell, $300. With the $125 deducted, the winner’s entrance and starting fee, the net value to Donerail is $5,475.