the other hand, was in his first race of the season, and
while he was by no means much too "high" and out of condition, still he
had a host of other engagements up the line, some of them far richer in
money than the Kentucky Derby. Ten thousand seemed to await him at Oakley,
$12,000 at Latonia and $20,000 at St. Louis and Mr. Dwyer is not a
sentimental man. His trainer could not afford to have Ben Brush too fine,
and when the struggle came with Ben Eder the Bramble colt had only his
class in his favor, and this was supplemented by Simms.

It is true there were many spectators who honestly believe that Ben Eder
won, but the obstruction offered by the judges' box makes it impossible
for anybody but the judges or those in the timers' stand to tell, and
there seems no doubt, from the statements of those in these positions,
that Simms (as a great jockey will) saved just one more effort in Ben
Brush and using it in the last desperate leap, shot the hair on his nose
in front of his shorter whiskered opponent.

Then too, there must be considered in estimating a popular verdict the
natural and noble disposition to cheer the under dog when he gains an
advantage and the sportsmanlike instinct to see an overwhelming favorite
beaten.

First Mate ran like the flashy cur that he showed himself to be in all of
his races. He will likely do in shorter contests or in which he can
overwhelm his opponents by a bust of his speed, but nature obviously
designed him for the role of a gentleman's saddle horse, in which he can
show high head and flaming tail in harmless curvetting, which will not be
taken as a challenge to battle--at which his soul sickens.

The surprise was in the awful performance of Ulysses. Those who had seen
the colt work did not like his going, but in the name of wonder what was
"Brown Dick" thinking of to throw away that hundred starting money on a
dog which may not win it back in his whole year's campaign. Surely a
trainer like "Dick" could not have been so deceived. I am of the opinion
that irresistible Secretary Price buncoed "Dick" into starting a colt who
had no more pretentions to being a Derby horse than honest "Dick" has of
being a dude.

Semper Ego somewhat redeemed himself for his poor showing at Lexington,
and may be dangerous to some of the cracks yet, and The Dragon ran his
usual good, honest race, doing the best that is in him. Parson and The
Winner had no business in the Derby and nobody thought they had