re turned loose
on such a vast gathering of Americans the heart thumps mightily. In that
gathering were men who have seen the ravages of war and men who expect to
feel its blight; men in the khaki and men hoping soon to don it. And so,
when the regiment boys burst into the anthem as a large flag was raised
along with two smaller ones, the crowd rose, held its silence until the
band ceased, and then broke into a mighty cheer.

It was nearly 5 o'clock when the bugle sounded calling the horses to the
post. The long procession of fifteen, led by the outrider on a gray horse,
garbed in a fiery red jacket, made an imposing picture. The gay silks of
the jockeys, with the verdant infield for a background, handed just the
right touch of color to the scene. Down past the grandstand and clubhouse
they pranced, and here they were all given cheers. It takes Kentucky
racing audiences to grow enthusiastic, and they know how to do it. On the
way to the post Ticket, the favorite, was the most nervous one of the lot,
prancing and dancing throughout the stretch. All others were a well
behaved lot.

It took the starter four minutes to get them in alignment, and then the
grand old shout of "They're off!" shot out from the grandstand and was
spent on the distant green hills.

Ticket dashed into the lead, but Stargazer soon assumed command, with
Berlin forcing the pace at his side. They swept past the grandstand at a
stirring clip, the field strung out as the riders jockeyed for positions.
On went Stargazer, his dazzling pace tearing at the hearts of those who
attempted to follow it. Berlin curled up from the effort and dropped back,
beaten, as the band sped up the back stretch. Ticket still held on and it
was plain that he was the horse the winner would have to beat.

As they rounded the turn by the old clubhouse Rickety made his move. He
seemed to have the speed of his party and rapidly mowed down his
opposition. At the quarter pole Rickety flashed in front, but it was only
for an instant. He appeared to suddenly weaken and Ticket headed the
procession.

Meanwhile one of the cleverest riders in America was nestling low over the
neck of a big chestnut colt. As the field passed the grandstand the first
time he was in tenth place. There he continued around the curve and into
the back stretch. Out in front he could see the flying leaders, but his
mount was running smoothly, and as they passed the half mile pole he
noticed he was shortening