50 HISTORYOFTHE 



and only a positive assurance of poor racing will lessen the 

 crowd. Signs and predictions of the weather prophets failed, 

 and instead of the bright May-day weather promised by the 

 bureau, the air was chilly and damp, and the sky hung witli 

 leaden colored clouds during the greater part of the morning 

 and afternoon. In the early morning the sun shone, and thougn 

 cool the indications were that the afternoon would be an ideal one 

 for racing. Instead, however, a cold wind sprang up from the 

 northwest and turf lovers saw their dreams of a beautiful day 

 fade into typical fall weather. There was enough virtue in the 

 wind, however, to dry off the track, which, with the exception 

 of a little stickiness, was in a fair condition. The officials of the 

 day were as follows : Judges — >Col. M. Lewis Clark. R. A. 

 Swigert and Washington Hessing. Timers — Norvin Harris, Van 

 Kirkman and Lew Tarlton. Secretaries — Joseph Swigert and 

 Charles Price. Starter — J. B. Ferguson. Clerk of the Scales— 

 L. P. Ezekiel. 



The third race was the Kentucky Derby, with three starters, 

 Huron, Phil Dwyer and Azra. The betting was on the Corrigan 

 pair, while Azra's few friends put up their boodle freely. Three 

 minutes before the start the same persons who were most 

 enthusiastic at the finish were repeating over and again: "Oh! 

 what a farce the race will be. Three horses only to gallop around 

 like the hippodrome races of a circus." The following is a 

 description of the race: 



From the first jump Corrigan's intentions may be read, Huron 

 is to set a pace that will kill Azra, and Phil Dwyer is to win. 

 Swinging the big colt to the rail, Britton gives him his head. 

 Racing like El Rio Rey or Proctor Knott, he draws away from 

 Azra, whom Clayton holds well in hand, and length by length 

 increases his lead until five lengths of daylight lie between the 

 green and light-blue jackets, Phil Dwyer, held in reserve by 



