From the Archives: Kentucky Derby Newsreels
Hard at work this year researching in the National Archives, Washington, D.C.-based filmmaker Jeff Krulik came across Kentucky Derby gold — historic footage of the great race in the public domain, culled from the Universal Newsreels. At their zenith, the Newsreels, released twice a week beginning in 1929, were regular features in movies theaters across the country before the rise of television.
It is fascinating to peer back into the past and find that mint juleps, celebrities, big hats and shocking upsets have always been a part of the Kentucky Derby experience. What appears to have changed most is security. Good seats sometimes meant literally being on the track. As always, the horses are wonderful.
Omaha, 1935
“A splendid driving race by the four-to-one shot captures the sixty-first running of the American classic for the Woodward entry in a ding-dong finish as 60,000 wildly-excited spectators leap to their feet in a tremendous ovation to the winner.”
Assault, 1946
“In history’s biggest and richest Kentucky Derby, Assault, an 8 to 1 shot, romps home by a good eight lengths to win the $96,400 purse. Spy Song finished second, while the favored Main Chance Farm entries do not finish in the money.”
Count Turf, 1951
“Outsider wins Derby classic. Count Turf, a 15 to 1 shot roars in a winner in a field of 20. The colt, son of Count Fleet and grandson of Reigh Count, both Derby winners, shows his heels to the field by four lengths and cops a purse of $98,000.”
Dark Star, 1953
“Overwhelmingly favored Native Dancer misses his 12th straight win in the Kentucky Derby. A heartbreaker finish as the big gray comes from behind under solid whipping but can’t quite overtake Dark Star, out in front from the start.”
Iron Liege, 1957
“A spectacular upset marks the Kentucky Derby. Willie Shoemaker aboard Gallant Man misjudges the finish line, stands up in the stirrups, and Iron Liege, closely trailing moves up to win by a nose — the closest Derby finish in 24 years!”
Tim Tam, 1958
“The running of the 84th Kentucky Derby sees the favorite, Silky Sullivan, fail to finish first. It’s Tim Tam — fabulous Calumet’s colt who outruns Lincoln Road in the final yards to win one of the most thrilling races ever run at Churchill Downs.”
Tomy Lee, 1959
“In the 85th Run for the Roses one of the most thrilling in Kentucky Derby history — it’s Tomy Lee! English-bred colt owned by Fred Turner, Jr., Midland, Texas, a cattle and oil man. Willie Shoemaker (another Texan, El Paso) rode Tomy Lee from behind to beat Sword Dancer by a nose. There was some bumping in the stretch — the two leading colts came together at the five-sixteenths pole — on the final turn. A foul was disallowed.”
Venetian Way, 1960
“At Churchill Downs, the 86th consecutive run for the roses, and as usual there’s all the traditional excitement and color of the Kentucky Derby. As usual the unusual happens, with the amazing showing of speed and power by Venetian Way to beat the two top pre-race favorites by an awesome and decisive margin, going away at the finish!”
Proud Clarion, 1967
“Proud Clarion, at 30-to-1 wins $162,000 and the ‘Roses’ in the 93rd running of the Kentucky Derby. National guardsmen patrolled, in case of racial demonstrations. Churchill Downs is treated to a great, driving stretch by the big bay colt from the Darby Dan Farm. He posts the third fastest time in Derby history!”
Jeff Krulik is the Washington, DC-based award-winning filmmaker who in 1986, with collaborator John Heyn, took a camera to the parking lot of a Judas Priest concert arena -- the result was the cult sensation, Heavy Metal Parking Lot. Krulik's rapport with his subjects yields some of the best verite documentaries you'll see -- I Created Lancelot Link, Ernest Borgnine on the Bus, Obsessed with Jews, Hitler's Hat. His current projects include Heavy Metal Picnic, about one of the most raucus field parties ever, and Led Zeppelin Played Here, about an apocraphyl Led Zep concert in a Maryland gymnasium on the night of Richard Nixon's inauguration. 
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