BY: Steve Joseph, DVM
Depending on when you read this newsletter the 2020 Kentucky Derby may be over.
A few years ago you may have seen an article here about a Kansas horse named Lawrin who won the race. The historical article was titled “A Stout Heart at the Finish”. Let’s revisit the story and I’ll add information about a Missouri horse that won the Derby 116 years ago.
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Lawrin (1935 – 1955) is the only Kansas horse to have won the prestigious Derby. Owner of the horse was Herbert Woolf of the legendary Woolf Brothers Clothiers.
He also owned Woolford Farms where Lawrin was raised. The farm spread from what is now Mission Road to Roe and from 79th to 83rd streets in Prairie Village. Today that location is in the neighborhood of Cornith Square.
The farm was DESCRIBED as “…bits of old Kentucky with blue grass, shade trees, clear streams and white wooden fences….”
A May 1938 newspaper account reported several Derby attendees looked down their noses at the big rugged horse from Kansas. Lawrin made a fuss at the Derby gate that added to their smirks and delayed the RACE.
But, after the race the THEIR ATTITUDE changed. “There was no finer looking horse…. Big and powerful, he moved with poise that moved the hearts of the crowd as he won them with his brilliant ride over the distance….”
The copper brown stallion was ridden by 22-year-old Eddie Arcaro (1916 – 1997), a Hall of Fame jockey. Arcaro went on to win five “Run for the Roses” including those on Whirlaway and Citation tying him with Bill Hartack for the most Derby victories. Ben Jones was Lawrin’s trainer and another of the Hall of Fame member. His record of six Derby wins has not been surpassed.
Arcaro was expected to ride the Derby frontrunner until the horse was scratched. Woolf convinced the jockey to ride Lawrin. Later, Arcaro would say the Kansas horse was better than War Admiral who won the race the year before. The jockey added the horse “had a STOUT heart at the finish”.
Lawrin is buried alongside his sire Insco (1928 – 1939) in the attractive neighborhood north of Cornith Square. Insco was sired by Galahad III who sired the Triple Crown winner Galahad Fox and three other Derby winners.
Dr Thomas Fowler (a 1913 graduate of the Kansas City Veterinary College) was the local veterinarian at Woolford Farms and a premier equine authority. It was said Dr Fowler told Woolf “…take care of your clothing business and I WILL tend to Lawrin.” Dr Fowler was the father-in-law of the late Dr Gunter Alberti, a longtime KCVMA member.
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A Missouri horse with the name Elwood won the 1904 Derby. He was the first and only equine from the state to win the race. He was also the first DERBY horse owned and bred by Missouri women.
The owner was Lasea Durell of Faust Stud Farm and the breeder was Emma Holt Prather of Faustiana Farm. Both farms were in Nodaway County. Lasea’s husband Charles was Elwood’s trainer. Without Charles knowledge, Lasea entered Elwood in the Derby. However, regulations did not permit women to make entries. No one explained why. Charles wasn’t pleased and because of her actions they were forced to sell Elwood and other stock. When things between the pair got better Charles was able to buy Elwood again. The horse was named in honor of his mother’s maiden name.
Although strong, the long lanky bay horse was apparently nothing to look at and newspaper accounts derisively referred to him as a “Missouri mule”.
In the 1904 Derby race, Elwood was considered a 15 to 1 longshot. The horse trailed the field of five until the last eighth of a mile and then made a surge and finished the victor. The upset win is considered one of the greatest comebacks in Derby history. The jockey was Frank Prior whose claim to equine fame is the 1904 Derby victory.
Elwood was sired by Free Knight who finished third in the 1886 Derby. Free Knight was sold for $45 as a farm horse.
Elwood ended his career with 58 starts, 8 eight wins, 7 seconds and 5 thirds. After his career he became a ladies saddle horse in California.
Is it possible pounding hooves can still be heard from these equine ghosts during this year’s “Two Minutes to Glory”?
