FIRST DERBY 1875 



To-day will ever be historic in the turf annals of Kentucky, 

 as the first "Derby Day," of what I hope to see a long series 

 of turf festivities. If the officers of the Association could have 

 had the pick from the calendar of the year, there could not 

 have been a more delightful and charming day. The morning 

 broke without a cloud visible in the heavens, while a cool breeze 

 was wafted over the course, tempering the increasing rays of 

 the sun. It was just such a day in May 



When the sun is rejoicing above in heaven, 



The clouds have all hurried away. 



Down in the meadow the blossoms are waking, 



Light on their twigs the young leaves are shaking, 



Round the warm knolls the lambs are a leaping, 



The colt from his fold o'er the pasture is sweeping, 



But on the bright lake, 



The little waves break, 



For there the cool west is at play. 



The course was in splendid order, and all the appurtenances 

 requisite for the comfort and convenience of racing was ready 

 to hand. In company with a friend we started early for the 

 course, thinking that we would reach it before the crowd, but 

 by half past eleven o'clock we found enough people to make a 

 respectable show. As the hour approached for the opening of 

 the ball, every avenue leading to the course was thronged with 

 people making their way to it. It was indeed a Derby Day in 

 all respects. With the two railroads leading to the course, the 

 street cars, hacks and private vehicles, when the first bell was 

 rung for the riders, the Grand Stand presented one solid mass 

 of human faces, while the quarter-stretch, the public stand, and 

 a portion of the field was covered with people. There could 



