The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-04-27
PTA|N KETTLE
FAVOR|TE IN
CLASSIC
10000 Gather to Watch
Classic Over Toughest
Course in America"
CONTINUED from Page y

Captain. as we'll as Troublemaker
and outlaw.
Thirty thousand persons from
all over the country headed here
to watch gentlemen ride their
horses a little more than eight
minutes over the toughest fences
in America.
The thrill of America steeple-
chase classic this year was to
find socity elbow to elbow with
those of lesser lineage who love
fine horse flesh quite as keenly.
Two nations were to lisen this
year as the races were broadcast
over the NB.C. chain with an
international hookup.
Captain Kettle is particularly
Favored for the course, which is
considered as difficult as that at
Aintree, England. He is a steady
jumper and shows his best form
over the high hurdles and longer
distance of the Hunt Cup course.
Hotspur I'd is capable of
taking the difficult jumps and
has sufficient speed to be with
the leaders all the way. He was
third in the Milady's Manor roce
two weeks ago.
Mullah Rates High
Mullah, which has considerable
speed on the flat, won a game
race last week and might be the
outsider to score. He is rated
as a splendid jumper in hunt
circles.
Outlaw was half length back
OF Catterplay in the Grand Ma
tional, the winner setting
record offs minutes As is seconds,
one minute below that of Billy
Barton, established in 1927.
Troublemaker is a splendid
Jumper and has been especially
primed for this race. He might
upset all calculations. He won the
hunt cup over the same course in
1882, setting the present record of
1851 3-5.
The sporting background of all
the fanfare and milling crowds of
today'S Maryland Hunt Cup was
laid in characteristic simple fash
ion.
Back in 1894 a. group of strong
wristed, STRAIGHTFORWARD hunting
gentry were sitting on the porch
of the Elkridge Club. The talk
was horses-their horses. The talk
was speed and jumping. It mat
tered little who they were. One
OF them was the late Ross Whis-
tier and h had silver tankard,
Tankard Is Prize
That silver tankard to go to the
owner of the horse to win the
race three times is still the big
trophy of the race. There is no
cash prize. There is no admit
lance charge. Professional riders
are barred. The Maryland Hunt
Cup is still a gentlemen's race for
gentlemen's horses.
In 1913 the late Mr.. Whistler
added a handsome gold challenge
cup to the historic silver tankard,
Feplicas of which have been given
to each owner winning the race.
That cup was to go to the owner
winning it three times with the
same horse. 1t has never been
won yet and many say it's the
toughest croSscountry course in
the world.
Back in 1894 there was an old
farm wagon near the finish. It
served as grandstand for the
few spectators. From it came the
shouts, halloos and the groans
that today will rise from 10000
Threats. A farm wagon doesn't
hold any more now than it did
then, but as gesture to the past
the same old wagon will be there.
The throngs, whether clad in
custom made shoes and slippers
or in brogans from a bargain base
ment, will walk over historic hills
and daleS to vantage points where
they can see the running of the
Maryland Hunt Cup for 1885.
For an hour or more before the
race. on the greensward near the
paddock enclosure, bookmakers.
most of them from New York, will
set up their little blackboards,
wave their arms and shout their
odds.
But most of the crowd will not
be tn IRE for the bett ng. Most
of them will not even hear or see
the bookies. They will be there
to watch gallant horsemen and
just as gallant steeds driving des-
perately over fences, around
turns. leaping, galloping, perhaps
rolling helplessly over the turf.
For society the day will be a
round of social functions. The
homes of Mr.. Martin and Mr..
Hester will be thrown open to
their friends. There will be
special luncheon for the favorite
guests. But for the final nine
minutes it will be anyboy's party
and nearly everybody will be