The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-09


 to the stall. "YouIl be glad to hear this," he chuckled to Sherry, "shep Grants four pounds over weight. Couldn's pull 1t down, He rides at 124 pounds against l20 pounds on the other entries"
 T told him he was steeple- chase rider" Sherry said. What do you scale at, Maddenp
 The little fellow grlnned: Not more'n l04-winter and summer. I made exact weight for this by my valet putin l6 pounds O lead in that lead-pad." He indicated pad beneath Pepper Boys sad- de.
 At that momen: the bugle blew calling the field to the post.
 Willie Bond called up to Mad den: "Ohhs against you are about sixe to one, lad-you're third choice. But bring him in first"
 Madden nodded, and the colt filed out at the end of the line.
 Excuse me, my Gea business to attend to-" Willie Bond said, and dashed of toward the grand- stand.
 Well, like thatp Sherry was saying to herself when a familiar voice spoke at her elbow:
 Come on and watch this one with me-
 It was Paul Wharton. Sherry had so much on her mind that she forgot obe distant. Why, Paul where've you been keeping your self2" She was really glad to see him.
 Might ask you the same e" he smiled. Been busy as you've been; but come on-they'll be at the post in a minute"
 The horses were going into the stall-gate -- in front of the grand- stand when Sherry and Paul Wharton reached his box.
 "See Sheps bought a nag, blos- somed out as an -trainer- rider" Paul said, with a side long glance at her,
 "Yes," she smiled, but kept her eyes on the starting gate. "He was nice enough to offer to ride Pep per Boy for me - but l had other plans
 A roar went up from watching thousands as the field leaped for" ward in q perfect start.
 'SayW Paul Wharton eX- claimed, Hook at your colt he's improvedW
 Pepper Boy, breaking from the extreme outside, was shooting ahead -- Madden was trying to cut long diagonal line across the fleld--trying to get to the rail at the head of the turn.
 But look there" Wharton shouted again That Shops not bad, Is he? Watch him!" Shep Grant was hustling his bay, Moni- tor. to th efront on the rail--he had blocked the fast-moving brown. CastanetS, who had tried to take it.
 Now, as they reached the first turn, the field was split into two divisions. Three horses in the first group: Shep Grant with Moni- tor on the rail; F'arwell on Casta- nest next to him; and Madden run alongside on Pepper Boy, Seven horses were grouped behind.
 "Too bad Madden couldn't get the rail! He's dropping back So he was.
 "The horse is In stride Mad den's giving him n breather," Sherry said.
 Maybe" Wharton muttered. But I don't like the way Grant is taking that nag of his to the front Boyl -- He's q length ahead as they start down te back stretch"
 Hes burning his colt up," said sherry-and she hoped 1t was true.
 Maybe Wharton muttered again. I'm not crazy about Grant you know it; but Just the same he's n darn good judge of pace
 He's four pounds overweight Sherry said, as she noted that Pepper Boy was third -- and run- ming easily--at the half-lmile.
 "Is he?" Wharton loked at her q minute. "Then he's got an ad' vantage over all the rest of you"
 How SOP"
 All the other jockeys arc very light boys-and their sadde-pads are filled with lead. That's dead weight-and mighty heavy. Shep is all live weight"
 "What of it?" she snapped There's Madden going Into con- tehtion -- now"
 The boy was starting his run with Pepper Boy, Tc lifted his reins at the three-eightS pole, as they went into he far turn,
 Sherry knew he was clucking to Pepper Boy she saw her game little colt spring forward-Maddcn was shooting Into space between Castanets and thet rail! Pepper Boy got the rail--Was alongside CaSta- potR - una HraWinu nWaV from