Kentucky is happy. The Kentucky Derby on Wednesday last was won by a Kentucky horse, bred, owned and trained, while Memphis and the Southern talent are clothed in sackcloth and ashes. The gallant Plaudit lowered the colors of the hitherto invincible Lieber Karl.

The day of the great event opened gloomy and showery, and the weather, therefore, reduced the crowd which would have otherwise been perhaps the greatest in the history of this famous race. Before the races began, however, the rain ceased and a brilliant assembly saw the 24th Kentucky Derby, and even in numbers the crowd suffered little in comparison with previous Derby Days, from ten to fifteen thousand people being present. The track had been deep in dust, and the light showers of the morning made the track a little slow and soggy, but by no means sloppy or muddy.

Col. M. Lewis Clark was presiding judge and Secretary Price his associate.

Thirteen bookmakers were in line and there was business for twenty.

Lieber Karl’s Memphis performances had made him the hottest tip that in recent years has started for the Derby. Although all of the trainers at Louisville had been confident that Plaudit would win the Derby, as shown in the reports of the Louisville correspondent of The Record, the Memphis tip was brought up so hot and strong by the Southern delegation, that, with few exceptions, Plaudit’s sturdiest friends succumbed and sadly concluded that after all the Memphis Hindoo would beat their pet. The most notable exceptions were Dr. J. D. Neet, who bred Plaudit and who was there to pull for the colt; “Brown Dick,” who trained him as a two-year-old, and Willie Simms, who was to ride him. Albert Simons, his trainer, felt the responsibility too keenly to commit himself to an expression of opinion and John E. Madden, the owner, had gone to New York two days before with Plaudit’s half brother Glenheim, of which he is said to have a higher opinion of even than Plaudit. Major Thomas, who owned Himyar when Plaudit was sired, did not come down from his Lexington home to see the great son of his great sire perform.

The bookies had nearly all come from Memphis, and were thoroughly imbued with the belief that no horse on earth could beat Lieber Karl, and that every dollar they bet against him was thrown away. Hence they tentatively put up 9 to 20 Lieber Karl and 2 to 1 Plaudit. This was soon changed to 7 to 20 Lieber Karl and 2½ to 1 and 3 to 1 Plaudit, and 2 to 1 the field against Karl. As the other two starters—Isabey and Han d’Or—were considered to have no earthly show for first money the bulk of the money was forced on Plaudit by the prohibitive price on Karl, and the bookies were probably losers by the race, although Mr. Schorr was said to have bet heavily on his colt.

Karl is an impressive looking fellow, with a high-headed, dashing way of going, and duly impressed the spectators as he worked by the stand. He is a handsome horse, much resembling in appearance and gait Typhoon II and First Mate. Plaudit, on the other hand, though more blood-like, is the least imposing looking of all Cinderella’s great sons and is withal a sluggish racer. He has, however, a clean, low frictionless stride far preferable to the high sweeping action of his rival, and his clean-cut thoroughbred lines and splendid chest indicated that he had both gameness and stamina.

There was little delay at the post, and when the flag fell Lieber Karl at once shot to the front, and came by the stand like a wild horse, with Burns pulling with might and main and keeping the rank colt well within himself. Plaudit was on the outside and running last, but easily, and the others right on the flying Karl’s heels. Simms sent Plaudit forward, and when the back stretch was reached his red jacket flashed in front of Isabey and Han d’Or, who were never noticed again in the race. Lieber Karl was still running like a locomotive, but Simms set sail for him and before the middle of the back stretch was reached had his head at the leader’s flanks and held his place, though he seemed to be extended, while Karl was apparently well in hand. As they struck the next turn Plaudit made a move to go up but Burns let out a link and Karl shot away. Simms began to ride, however, and the sluggish Plaudit, as if waiting to be called on, held his own at Lieber Karl’s tail. Straightened into the run home Simms drew his whip and at the first touch of the lash Plaudit shot forward and slowly drew up to his rival’s head, and at the last eighth pole they were on even terms. Karl for the first time this season had been collared. Not till then did Burns begin to urge his mount, and soon the catgut was raising welts upon Karl’s heaving sides, while Simms was vigorously plying the lash to Plaudit. It was a desperate duel for a few strides, and then Plaudit gamely responding drew away and the race was over. Lieber Karl was all out, and while Simms rode the sluggish Plaudit to the end, he no longer needed the lash and finished with something to spare by a full length.

When the winner trotted back to the stand, the heartiest ovation tendered a Derby winner in recent years was given him. The crowd surged through the gates and over the fence and it was necessary to call a policeman to keep the enthusiastic crowd from the horse’s heels. A wreath of red roses was placed about the victor’s neck, and as he was led before the stand the crowd—ladies and all—arose and cheered the hero to the echo.

Kentucky Derby; for three-year-olds; guaranteed value $6,000. 1 mile and a quarter.

Start good; won driving.

Post 4 minutes. Lieber Karl was rank and Burns had him under a stout pull to the head of the stretch; he tired badly in the last furlong. Fractional time—0:25½, O:50½, 1:17, 1:30, 1:43½, 1:55¾, 209.

J. E. Madden’s br c Plaudit, by Himyar, imp. Cinderella.