12 HISTORY OF THE 



Green Clay's ch c Red Coat, by imp. Australian, dam Sally, 

 100 lbs., Hughes 



A. Keene Richards' ch c Bullion, by War Dance, dam Gold 

 Ring, 100 lbs., Kelso 



Time— 2 :38 l A 

 Betting — Just before the start, Vagrant even against the field. 



THIRD DERBY 1877 



Persons who long wished and desired a beautiful day for the 

 Kentucky Derby were fully gratified Tuesday. The sun was 

 out bright and the excessive heat for the past week was tem- 

 pered by a gentle breeze that made it all the more enjoyable, 

 albeit it militated some against faster time. 



The course, from the heavy rain of Sunday, was not in the 

 best possible condition, and in some places was a little deep and 

 uneven. Early in the morning preparations commenced for the 

 day's sport, and the crowded condition of the hotels betokened 

 a large attendance, and long before the call bell was sounded to 

 summon the jockeys and horses, the grand stand, quarter-stretch, 

 field and field stand were crowded to repletion with an anxious 

 crowd of spectators. The sky was flecked here and there with 

 a few masses of clouds, but there was nothing threatening about 

 them. Now and then they served the purpose of a veil, which 

 hid the fierce glances of the sun, and cast a shade over the vast 

 crowd that was gathered on the emerald green fields. Rarely, 

 indeed, have the magnificent landscapes which can be viewed on 

 either side from the grand stand and its neighborhood, looked 

 more lovely. Behind, looking, we see the Nashville railroad wind- 

 ing its way like a snake through green fields and woodlands until 

 it is lost in the distance. In front to one side you see the curling 

 smoke arising from the city, with a cloud of dust that indicates 

 the road over which the vast crowd is coming, bent on pleasure. 



