The Outsider

For weeks, experts had said that the Kentucky Derby would be a private duel between California's stretch-running Tompion and Bally Ache, the Eastern colt with the early foot. All but shrugged off was Venetian Way, a handsome, blaze-faced colt who had won only two stakes races in a career of 14 starts. But on second sight (after the race) it turned out that the experts had forgotten some key points.

Venetian Way was completely recovered from a winter attack of bloodworms. He had given Bally Ache the race of his life in April's Florida Derby, losing by a nose. And the man who would be up on Venetian Way was arrogant Bill Hartack, 27, a cold-eyed opportunist who is at his best when the rewards are high.

With Venetian Way a 6-1 choice, Owner Isaac Blumberg, 72, a retired Illinois machine-tool manufacturer, nursed a double bourbon and pessimistically recalled 1958 when his Lincoln Road finished second to Tim Tam in both the Derby and the Preakness. Down in the paddock, Trainer Vic Sovinski gave Hartack instructions: "You ought to be third or fourth going into the clubhouse turn, but lay back until the backstretch. Then go when you see your spot. It's up to you and him."

Out of the gate, Bally Ache bolted, as expected, to an early lead. Tompion challenged at the half, then went into one of his strange sulks and faded to fourth. As ordered, Hartack bided his time until he found the spot: in the far turn he put the whip to Venetian Way and blasted past Bally Ache to the lead. The stretch run was a piece of cake, but Hartack did not let up until Venetian Way, the outsider, had run off with the 86th Kentucky Derby by 3 1/2 lengths.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.