KENTUCKY DERBY 131 



color to the scene. Down past the grandstand and clubhouse 

 they pranced, with Escoba in the lead, closely followed by the 

 others. At sight of the dark blue and white sleeves of Mr. 

 Alexander, worn by Escoba's rider, faint cheers rippled along 

 the fringe of the crowd that lined the rail, and which was turned 

 into a noisy demonstration as War Cloud, the favorite, came 

 in sight. They reached the post at 5:19, and it took Starter 

 Dade but a brief time to get them in alignment. In exactly two 

 minutes he sprung the barrier, and, shouting, 'Come on," sent 

 the eight horses away on their history-making journey. Viva 

 America was the first to show in front after a few strides, and 

 was closely followed by Sewell Combs and Escoba. 



As they thundered past the stand for the first time, the 

 Worthington filly was still in the lead, with Sewell Combs and 

 Escoba running neck and neck to her rear. Exterminator was 

 lying in fourth position, while Lucky B., American Eagle, War 

 Cloud and Jas. T. Clark were running abreast not far behind. 

 There was very little change in the running positions as the 

 field swung into the backstretch, except that the leader was 

 beginning to show the strain of pacemaking. As they reached the 

 half-mile pole backers of War Cloud implored Loftus to move 

 up and for a moment it appeared that the rider had heard the cry 

 across the field and was making an effort to comply. The 

 English-bred horse, however, showed clearly that the task was 

 too much for him, for despite his rider's vigorous efforts he 

 could not get within hailing distance of the leaders. Rounding 

 the far turn Viva America was ready to cry quits and Escoba, 

 after shaking off Sewell Combs, forged ahead. If Notter, who 

 was aboard of Escoba, exulted over the advantage gained, he was 

 soon doomed to disappointment, for Knapp had gone to work 

 on Exterminator, and under keen urging the Kilmer gelding 



