38 HISTORY OF THE 



Seven of the starters were bred in Kentucky — Ben Ali, Blue Wing, 

 Free Knight, Sir Joseph, Grimaldi, Harrodsburg and Master- 

 piece; and Lafitte and Jim Gray are by Kentucky owned stal- 

 lions, and the sire and' dam of Lijero were bred in Kentucky, 

 showing the State still holds the highest place in the production 

 of the horse. Take it all through it was the best race, so far 

 as interest and contest are concerned, ever run for the Derby 

 or any other race, and we doubt if such a field and such a con- 

 test will be witnessed again during the year. Every year seems 

 to add interest to this great race. It will be seen by the time 

 made that the pace was a hot one from start to finish, and 

 few such races from the time standard have been run so early 

 in the year with 118 lbs. up and by the way this is the first year 

 the weights have been 118 lbs., and is the fastest run race. 



The start was a beautiful one, the ten horses going away on 

 even terms, Blue Wing in the lead, Grimaldi second, Master- 

 piece third, followed by Sir Joseph, Ben AH, Free Knight, Jim 

 Gray, Harrodsburg, Lijero, and Lafitte in order named. Master- 

 piece took the lead as they entered the main track, Grimaldi 

 second, Blue Wing third, rest well up bunched. Passing the 

 stand Masterpiece still led, Harrodsburg second, Jim Gray third, 

 Free Knight fourth, rest in close order. There was no change 

 at the quarter, but the pace was still hot. Nearing the half, 

 Free Knight was a head in front of Harrodsburg second, Jim 

 Gray a head behind him third, with Ben Ali, Blue Wing and 

 Masterpiece close up and bunched. At the three-quarter pole, 

 entering the homestretch, Free Knight was a half length in 

 front of Ben Ali second, Blue Wing third. Now commenced the 

 real struggle for the race. All three were driving, Ben Ali 

 and Blue Wing were head and head at the furlong pole, Free 

 Knight a half length behind. Blue Wing swerved to the outside 

 and lost some ground, and Ben Ali gained a length or more 



