1893 Derby Draws Biggest Crowd for Lookout
Mudders Led By Troubadour Son in Nineteenth Kentucky Derby
Apr 25, 2009
The Cushing and Orth stable entered two Thoroughbreds in the 1893 Derby, a three-white-stockinged handsome chestnut named Lookout, and Boundless, both of whom would run in the mud. A day and night of hard rain at Churchill Downs before the Derby competition lined up seemed to favor those not adverse to traveling in hoof-sucking weather.
The Derby audience for the first time included betting women, who helped swell the cheering throng to 30,000, a Derby race day record.
Lookout's Outlook Good for Mud
Lookout was a chestnut beauty with three white stockings striking in their lengths. The leg markings reached right to Lookout's knee and hocks, higher than those of the later phenom Secretariat (1973), and on the same three legs as 1973's Derby star.
Several other champions of the Kentucky Derby have sported four white stockings, or just two, or three, all in less lengths than either Lookout, or Secretariat.
But no other Thoroughbreds in the history of the Sport of Kings' Kentucky Derby were stockinged as strongly in the same three legs as Lookout and Secretariat.
The physical comparison, however, stopped there. Lookout was also brightly colored with a very wide blaze that ran across his entire face. Secretariat had only a star and a very slim stripe on his upper face.
And physical ability in terms of speed? Well, Lookout ran the 1893 Kentucky Derby in 2:39-1/4 when it was still a 1-1/2 miles endurance run. Secretariat ran the Derby's revised 1-1/4 miles in a record 1:59-2/5, which still stands.
Lookout came to his Derby with a good outlook, though. He jumped in front from the beginning and raced to a four-length win, barely muddying those handsome white legs. Perhaps he was a neat freak?
Nineteenth Kentucky Derby (1893) Card and Finish
- No. 1 --- Lookout, by four lengths ----- Owner, Cushing and Orth
- No. 2 --- Plutus, by 2 ----- Bashford Manor
- No. 3 --- Boundless, by 4 ----- Cushing and Orth
- No. 4 --- Buck McCann ----- Scoggan Bros.
- No. 5 --- Mirage ----- James E. Pepper
- No. 6 --- Linger ----- C.E. Railey
- Race Fractions: --- :26, :51-1/2; 1:17-1/2; 1:45-1/2, 2:39-1/4
- Weight Assignments: all horses, 122 lbs.
Lookout Total Race Record
- 1892 --- (age two) --- 20 starts, nine firsts, four seconds, two thirds --- Earnings, $5,585
- 1893 --- 8 - 3 - 0 - 0 --- $8,730
- 1894 --- 18 - 2 - 2 - 0 --- $1,000
- 1895 --- 18 - 3 - 5 - 3 --- $1,910
- 1896 --- 2 - 0 - 1 - 0 --- $125
- Totals ----- 66 - 17 -12 - 5 --- $17,350
- Major Career Placings: (age two) --- 1st in Minneapolis Stakes --- 2nd in Turf Exchange Stakes --- 3rd in Merchants' Hotel Handicap; (age three) --- 1st in Kentucky Derby, Gibson Stakes, Annual Stakes; (age five) --- 1st in Coney Island Highweight Handicap --- 3rd in Toronto Cup
Lookout -- Short Pedigree
Lookout, a chestnut colt, was sired by Troubadour and foaled by Christina.
Troubadour was sired by Lisbon and out of Glenluine. Lisbon, by foreign stock Phaeton--foreign stock Lady Love. Glenluine, by foreign stock Glenleg--Lute.
Christina was sired by King Alfonso and out of Luileme. King Alfonso, by foreign stock Phaeton--Capitola. Luileme, by Lexington--Rosette.
