Spokane is the only horse foaled and trained in Montana to win the Kentucky Derby. In those days, it was still the Montana Territory. He is also one of only eight horses foaled west of the Mississippi to win.[2] The barn in which Spokane was born, the Doncaster Round Barn, located about two miles north of Twin Bridges, Montana, has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3] Armstrong was on a business trip to Spokane Falls, Washington Territory when Interpose gave birth, which is where the colt got his name.[4]
Armstrong new right away he had a special colt. In February the year he was born in 1886 he boasted, "I may not win [the Kentucky Derby] boys, but I'll get a place."[5]
Spokane's Kentucky Derby and racing success in 1889 coincided with Montana's statehood, as it was admitted to the Union on November 8 that same year.
Racing career
Two-year-old, 1888
Spokane was sent to Tennessee to train with John Rodegap, who had been a trainer for five years at that point.[4] His first race was the Hyde Park Stakes at Washington Park in Chicago, where he finished fourth. His next race was in the fall in Louisville, Kentucky where he was unplaced. He finally for his first win at Latonia beating thirteen horses in a six furlong maiden race. In Nashville he won another race beating six horses going five furlongs. Out of five races that year, he won two and was off the board in the rest. He spent the winter in Memphis preparing for his three-year-old season.[6][7]
Unimpressed with how the colt was handled at two, Armstrong fired his trainer and took to training Spokane himself.[8]
Three-year-old, 1889
He began the year on against older horses on April 24 in the Peabody Hotel Stakes in Memphis where he finished second, going nine furlongs.[4][6]
The Kentucky Derby in 1889 on May 9 was an exciting one for fans as thousands packed into Churchill Downs (then called the Louisville Jockey Club) to see the field of eight take on the reigning two-year-old champion Proctor Knott. It was the largest crowd the track had seen since the Ten Broeck–Mollie McCarty match race in 1878, with an estimated 16,000 in attendance.[6]
Ridden by Tennessee native Tom Kiley and sent off at 6-1 odds, Spokane got on the rail and closed in the stretch to the cheers of the crowd, running down the Proctor Knott to win by a nose in the final strides. In a time before photo finish, it was left to the judges who awarded the win to Spokane after deliberation.[6] He set a new Kentucky Derby record for 1½ miles at 2:34.50, nearly beating the record set by Luke Blackburn (the sire of Proctor Knott) in 1880.[6] His time remains the fastest Kentucky Derby at that distance, however it has not been run at 1½ miles since 1894. Kiley said after the race that he wagered $25 to win on Proctor Knott.[4]
The people of Montana were thrilled by the victory, particularly in Helena where people who passed each other on the street would say "What's the matter with Spokane?" or "Hurrah Spokane!" Helana's Independent-Record called the Derby win the "biggest feather that has ever been placed in Montana's cap." While he was entered to run in the Helena Derby, he never made the appearance.[5]
After the Derby, many still doubted Spokane as the best of the crop with Proctor Knott so narrowly beaten. The pair met again a few days later on May 14 in the Clark Stakes, this time over a wet track. Proctor Knott was again the favorite, and again went to the lead. Just like the Derby, Spokane closed quickly to take the Clark by three lengths proving that his Derby victory a few days prior was not a fluke.[9]
The pair went up to Washington Park to run in the prestigious 1½ miles American Derby on June 21, with a purse of $15,400 (more than the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont combined).[4] There was much excitement for the third match, with a crowd of 30,000 (with some claiming up to 75,000.) Proctor Knott once again took the early lead with Spokane settling midpack. With a quarter mile to go, Spokane started his move and closed fast to claim the victory, with Proctor Knott finishing last. Finishing time was 2:41 ¼. After the victory, he was adorned with a saddle of flowers in Washington Park Club colors. Armstrong was asked how much he would sell the horse for, and while insisting the horse was not for sale, he would not accept anything less than $50,000 for the colt.[8] The American Derby would be Spokane's final victory.
The two would meet again in the Sheridan Stakes on July 4 again at Washington Park, this time going 1¼ miles. Carrying 10lbs more than his rival at 125, Spokane finally conceded to Proctor Knott in front of a crowd of 20,000.[10]
He ended his three-year-old year with eight starts, winning three times, second twice, and third once. His other finishes included second in the Peabody Hotel Handicap, and a third in the Pelham Bay Handicap. He was unplaced in the Twin Cities Handicap (still finishing ahead of Proctor Knott) and Drexel Stakes.[7][11][12]
Four-year-old, 1890
A four, he was winless in four races but came in second twice and third another time.[7]
Retirement
He was retired from racing by November 14, at one point in the year being sick with pneumonia. Spokane initially started his stud career at the Woolley Breeding Farm near Lexington, Kentucky.[13][14]
He stood at stud at Fairhaven Farm, Niddervale Farm, and Elmendorf Farm all in Kentucky at some point, but suffered from fertility issues.[11] In 1898, he was sold at auction for the low price of $170 to Woodward and Shanklins Thoroughbreds.[15][16]
Spokane is listed in the 1900 Catalogue for the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden, with the exhibitor listed as J. Hume Carter.[17]
The later years of Spokane's life are unknown. Some records indicate he returned to Montana at age six, some that he was fatally stabbed by a pitchfork, or died in a railway accident, or died peacefully at age 30 in Montana. There were calls in the Northwest to buy the horse and give him a proper retirement, but there is no confirmation if that came to fruition.[4][11][15]
