Kerchiefed gypsies circulated through the crowd, reading palms and picking pockets. Touts cajoled reluctant punters, and billboards blandly offered bets on credit. Half of England was on hand last week for the 182nd running of the Derby at Epsom Downsbut not even Queen Elizabeth II, an ardent horsewoman, was prepared for what happened.
In the royal box atop the vast grandstand, the Queen fidgeted nervously as the 28-horse field nudged the starting tapes. The early favorites included two U.S.-owned colts: Mrs. Ralph Strassburger's white-socked Moutiers (7 to 1) and Mrs. Oliver Iselin's Pardao (10 to 1). Little attention was paid to Pardao's...
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