66 HISTORY OF THE 



stretch and around to the next turn. Ben Brush had not been 

 lagging, but with Simms almost urging the sluggish colt had been 

 laying up in fourth position. At the turn from the back stretch 

 Simms leaned far over his mount's neck and urged him to the 

 front. He soon overhauled First Mate, who had not thought 

 the race would be so long, and turned in for home with a good 

 lead and the race apparently already won. But the white face 

 of Ben Eder had followed him through like a ghost and was 

 coming on the outside like a flash of light. Running free and 

 strong this true son of Fonso showed the heritage of a Derby 

 winning sire. The family prestige must be maintained and he 

 bid fair to do it. For one fleeting instant the white face showed 

 before the red. But Ben Brush, too, came from an unconquered 

 race and the blood of Bramble and old Bonnie Scotland surged 

 through his veins as responding to the touch of steel his extended 

 nose was thrust again an inch in front. Then Tabor made the 

 mistake of his life. His horse was running true and com- 

 paratively fresh. The spurt of Ben Brush was only a spasmodic 

 effort. He would have come back before the wire was reached. 

 But Tabor reached for his whip and Ben Eder losing his jockey's 

 aid faltered a trifle. It was now a battle of jockeys. Both urged 

 their mounts with whip and spur, but Tabor was riding all over 

 his horse while Simms lifted his mount at every stride. On they 

 came nose and nose until with an expiring effort Simms struck 

 the wire first. It was probably the only point in the last fifty 

 yards at which a difference could be detected between the two 

 horses. 



The crowd was such as only a great race can bring out and 

 then only in Kentucky. The railroads and steamboats from all 

 directions poured thousands of people into the city and vehicles 

 of every description from carriages to spring wagons kept up 

 a steady procession out the driveways to the track, while an end- 



