Derby History  //

1939

65th Kentucky Derby

1939 - Johnstown

Race Summary
Time: :23 2/5, :47 2/5, 1:12 4/5, 1:38, 2:03 2/5. Track fast.
Winner: Winner - B.C. by Jamestown - La France, by *Sir Gallahad III, trained by James Fitzsimmons; bred in Kentucky by A.B. Hancock.
Mutuel: $2 mutuels paid - Johnstown, $3.20 straight, $3.00 place, $2.80 show; Challedon, $3.60 place, $3.20 show; Heather Broom, $3.00 show.
Value: $50,000 added and $5,000 Gold Cup. Net to winner $46,350; second $6,000; third $3,000; fourth $1,000. 115 nominations.

HorseFinishJockeyOwnerBreederTrainer
Johnstown1stJames Stout Claiborne FarmJame Fitzsimmons
Challedon2ndGeorge Seabo Branncastle FarmLouis J. Schaefer
Heather Broom3rdBasil James John Hay WhitneyEarl Sande
Viscounty4thCarroll Bierman Valdina FarmsJ. J. Flanigan
Technician5thJohnny Adams Herbert M. WoolfBen A. Jones
El Chico6thNick Wall Lucas Berthold CombsMatthew Peter Brady
T. M. Dorsett7thLeon Haas Mrs. Joe W. BrownJohn Theall
On Location8thAlfred Robertson William H. LipscombRoy Waldron

Start bad and slow. Won easily; second and third driving. JOHNSTOWN swerved to the inside as he took command, made the pace for a mile, was lightly roused in the stretch and quickly increasing his advantage, won with speed in reserve. CHALLEDON was between horses in the early running and began to move up after reaching the last five-eighths. HEATHER BROOM dropped back when racing wide on the first turn, rallied after going seven-eighths and outfinished VISCOUNTY. The latter, away badly, was rushed into a contending position in the first three quarters and continued well to the final eighth before tiring. TECHNICIAN did not settle into good stride until reaching the back stretch where he showed a brief flash of speed but was soon out of contention. EL CHICO broke to the outside and was through after seven-eighths. T.M. DORSETT also quit after showing early speed. ON LOCATION was eased in the stretch. Scratched - Challenge, Xalapa Clown.

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