Evening star., 1928-03-29
ny tho Associated Press.


LIVERPOOL, England. March %.
Hope spelled with capitals
might be the middle name Of
L. several hundred Americans who
came 1000 miles to see the
crack Yankee Steeplechaser Billy Bar
ton perform tomorrow in what is un-
questionably the worlds biggest gamble
in racing--the Grand National Steeple-
chase.
Billy Barton, owned by Howard
Bruce OF Baltimore, and Burgoright,
owned by Benjamin L. Behr OF Chicago,
are the American bred horses entered
in the most grueling contest for horse
flesh ever conceived by man.
More than 300 reserved seats have
been added to the Aintree grandstand
on account of the rush from the United
States sportsmen who began clamOring
for seats weeks ago. Most Of these
reservations were made by cable and
some by transatlantic telephone.
Mr.. Bruce arrived nearly month
ago and groups of Baltimore friends
i'm subsequent steamers, so that the
Maryland metropolis will have by far
the largest representation at the meet
Of any American city.
Race Had Novel Beginning.
The race, which this year is attract
ing large crowds, had novel begin
ming. II was conceived by racing
enthusiast and publican, Jack Lynn.
81 years ago. He hit upon the idea
of a long distance struggle with the
view of attracting trade to his bar in
the Waterloo Hotel at Aintree, which
had been in the doldrum for years.
The scheme worked, the race being q
crowd winner for the beginning. Lynn
died a very rich man because OF this.
Twice in the last five years the
Grand National has been won by an
American owned horse. but never has
1t been won by a horse bred and owned
I'm America. Sergt. Murphy, owned by
stephen Sandford of Amsterdam, \
Y won in 1923. and Jack HorneT
owned by A. G. Schwartz of New York
| CITY won in 1926. These men with
another compatriot. Harold Fowler are
competing this year with horses bought
abroad
Both Billy Barton and Burgoright are
/ so well known in the United States thai
/ their entry attracted attention from
7 the start.
Neither Billy Barton or Burgoright
is a favorite in the betting, and the
4 trainer OF the Baltimore entry said
Z
was not acclimatized. Every horse ii
/ the Grand National, however, has
chance.
Class Doesn't Always Tell.
| The best horse does not always win
I There are 80 obstacles IN the a.
mile course. and in the first mile alone
/ in the scurry and scramble Of getting
/ a good start each horse Is IL imminent
danger of being toppled over by the
herd of indifferent jumpers. WHOSE
/ Jockeys are riding with all their mlgn
and main and with a single aim.
/ Owing TO this uncertainty racing en-.
1 thusiasts never lose hope, Tor their
I favorites may win. AS the history 0i
/ the race records, time and again hot
/ favorites worth fortunes failed 70 ever
! complete the course while milk carl
/ Dobbin or a cab pony romped home
! with the bacon at odds which made tht
I bookies weep.
About 100 Americans are sleepine
/ aboard the ships on which they came
over and every hotel in Liverpool i
/ jammed with visitors. Many have come
from France also 10 witness the race, q.
\ three French horses are entered
Several parties have arranged to fl
from London 10 Aintree on the morning
Of the race Many automobile partie.
coming TO view the event are bringing
! wireless sets with them They intens
TO use these when the horses are on
OF sight in the brush 10 find out wha
is going on through the broadcas'
4 description.
The King and Queen viii not attend
/ but King Anlanullah of AfghaniStar
( and Queen Souriya are expected.
Sports writer's have been referring 4
the American invasion for weeks. Il
an article on win America Win ths