Evening star., 1939-04-30
$1,000 See Veteran
Repeat Far Off
His '38 Record
Four of Seven Starters
Finish; Cherry Brook,
Outsider, Is Third
BY ROBERT HENRY,
Star Stad Correspondent.

Star stan Correspondent.
BALTIMORE, Md, April 90
6taving off a strong stretch duel
from two-time conquerer, Mrs. E.
Boards Blockade repeated his rec
ord breaking triumph of last year to
account for the 46th running Of the
famous Maryland Hunt Cup held on
j. w. Y. Martins estate in the
Worthington Valley near here today.
A neck back in second place came
George Strawbridge's Cog Bruyere,
with J. G. Leiper, jr.'s, Cherry Brook
q distant third.
The time for the 4mile 22-jump
course was 9:16, good considering
the slow condition due to recent
rains, but 80 seconds behind the
same winners time made last year.
Only four of the seven starters fln-
ished the grueling race, which, next
to the English Grand National, IS
considered the toughest in the world.
Blockade Odds on Choice.
About $4,000 spectators, several
thousand less than average, due to
rain, made Blockade, ridden by Fred
Colwill, odds-on favorite with the
few bookmakers Drawing police
ordinance to stay away. Cog Bruy-
ere, champion timber horse last
year, with Richard Hamilton up,
making his first try for the cup, was
second in demand at 80, with Justa
Racket, recent conquerer Of Block
ade, third at 81. The other four
starters were quoted from 6-1 up
to 10-1.
However, it might just as well
have been a three-horse race, for
after the first mile 1t was strictly
between the favored three, until
Justa Racket, ridden by his owner,
22-year- Hugh ODonovan. came
a cropper when interfered with by
riderless horse over the 18th
fence. After that. it was the
peoples choice and Cog Bruyere
fighting it out through the last mile.
And fight they did. Sweeping
around the final bend with three
quarters of mile and four jumps
to 60, they hooked up in duel
strongly reminiscent of the War
Admiral-Sea Biscuit match held
last fall. Running stride for stride,
the winner saving valuable ground
on the inside, and the challenger
holding on like bulldog, they could
not be separated until Blockade
the blood of Man O. War in his
veins lending needed courage
pulled slightly away as they came
into the last fence.
Cog Bruyere Challenges.
It was at this same fence that
Blockade put away" Ostend and
drew out in the final furlong to win
last years race, and although it
appeared that history would repeat,
Cog Bruyere decided to give the
fans another thrill.
Charging boldly at the leader he
responded strongly to the frantic
urging OF Hamilton and began to
close in. Colwill, seeing the gallant
run, went to work on his chestnut
mount and called on his large store
Of riding experience. Aided by spurs
and powerful set Of hands he kept
his horse going for all he was worth.
Less than 40 yards from home,
Cog Bruyere collared his famous
rival and photo finish loomed. But
Blockade kept to his task and the
gray challenger got no closer, for
as they galloped past the winning
post with the crowd wild Blockade
maintained a neck advantage. BY
winning, Blockade added his name
to four other steeplechasers who
have scored double victory in the
race and another repeat will rank
him with two others who have
scored triples. Hamilton Is the third
rider to win the race twice as he
also rode Blockade last year.
Justa Racket Topples.
The combination Of Justa Racket
and O'Donovan came in for much
sentimental support, as both are
we'll known in fox-hunting circles
around this city, and 1t was in such
sport that the horse gained his
training for today's race. Had it
not been for interference from the
riderless Or Else at the 18th fence
there might have been different
story to tell.
Both the horse and his rider were
making their first attempt at the
classic event and ODonovan was
trying to duplicate the feat OF his
father, who won the race many
years ago. However, after running
right along with Blockade for 2
miles they crashed to earth as Or
Else, who had fallen few fences
hack and then gone on minus his
rider, Sidney Watters~ jr., bumped
them as they lifted for the stiff post
and rail jump. Espadin, owned by
Mrs. Elizabeth G. Buck and ridden
by John Bosley, jr., was the third
horse to fall when he toppled over
the 10Th fence while running far
back. All of the fallen horses and
riders escaped injury.
Cherry Brook, owned by j. G.
Leiper. who rode Pebbles to victory
in 1911, and one of the outsiders,
managed to stay on his feet with
Frank Powers up and stagger home
third, so far back that many were
unaware he had finished. Another
iongshot, Lucier. owned by Maurice
Powers. and ridden by James Evans,
was the only other entry to finish,
coming in several lengths behind
Cherry Brook.
4eth Maryland Hunt Cup a miles, %
3umps)-Won by Mrs. E. READ Boards
Coo Bruyere owned By George strsvbridae.
ridden by R: P. HAMILTON; third. Cherry
by Frank Powers. Also ran-Lucier. 'Justa
Racket. 'Espadin. 'Or Else. Time-9:16.