Spokane was sired by the Leamington son Hyder Ali and out of the mare Interpose by Intruder.
[3] Armstrong was on a business trip to Spokane Falls, Washington Territory when Interpose gave birth, which is where the colt got his name.
"[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.
[8] 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.
[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.
Helana's Independent-Record called the Derby win the "biggest feather that has ever been placed in Montana's cap."
With a quarter mile to go, Spokane started his move and closed fast to claim the victory, with Proctor Knott finishing last.
He was unplaced in the Twin Cities Handicap (still finishing ahead of Proctor Knott) and Drexel Stakes.
Spokane initially started his stud career at the Woolley Breeding Farm near Lexington, Kentucky.