Louisville, Ky., May 3, 1902. Weather fine, track fast. One and one-quarter miles. Time 2:08¾. Value to winner $4,850, second $700, third $300. 112 nominations.

Betting 5 to 3 on Frank, 6 to 5 Dale and Rival coupled. Good start, won driving, place driving. Alan-a-Dale outclassed his field.

Alan-a-Dale, ch c, 3, by Halma—Sudie McNairy. Owned by Thos. C. McDowell.

DESCRIPTION OF RACE

The New Louisville Jockey Club opened their gates on Saturday, May 3, which was Derby Day, and as everybody old and young, who can, goes to the races, the crowd was enormous. Among the large assemblage were notable people from all over the United States, including many high State officials. The victory of Alan-a-Dale was the most popular Derby win ever run at Churchill Downs. T. C. McDowell the owner of the fortunate horse, which carried off the honors in game and gallant style by winning the Blue Riband, bred this horse himself at his Ashland Stud.

The Derby was a true run race and the best horse won and as the English say, that any horse that makes his own pace at a mile or over from the drop of the flag to the finish must certainly be the best horse. It was Alan-a-Dale all through the race. The crowd yelled and cheered itself hoarse even those who bet and lost on other horses in the race, joined in the cheering. When it was over it was a sight worth going a thousand miles to see. It seemed as though everybody was looking for the popular owner, T. C. McDowell to shake him by the hand and congratulate him.

The pace was fast for the first mile and then it dropped off badly, but when one really notices how fast Alan-a-Dale went the first mile in the race, they will not wonder that the last quarter was so slow. A first glance at the time of the race one would think from a time standpoint that it was a bad race, but when compared with other races of its kind, you will see that in all races that are fast run the horses who make the fast time generally rate along instead of running the first part of it real fast. In his race, Alan-a-Dale, according to our timing ran as follows: ? :12½, ¼ :25, ? :37½, ½ :49¾, ? 1:02½, ¾ 1:14¾, ? 1:27½, 1 mile 1:40¾; 1? miles 1:54½ and 1¼ miles in 2:08¾.

Of course, the winner tired greatly after setting the terrific pace he did in the early part of the race, but the other horses also tired as much by trying to keep within striking distance of him. Abe Frank, although conceding the winner, Alan-a-Dale, Inventor, the second horse and The Rival, the third horse, five pounds each, was only beaten a scant length by Alan-a-Dale and a half length and a neck by Inventor and The Rival. It was a great race to watch from start to finish. At the finish of the race all four jockeys were riding like demons, and the favorite, Abe Frank, was beaten because he was not the best horse at the weights that day. Inventor and The Rival, second and third horses in this race were well ridden and ran gamely, but there is no way they could have been closer up at the finish no matter in what way they would have changed their running. All the glory and honor belongs to Alan-a-Dale and his popular owner and trainer, Mr. T. C. McDowell of Lexington, who in spite of winning this great event, has also a great misfortune to bear as Alan-a-Dale has broken down and it is doubtful if he will ever face the starter again.