The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-29
CHAPTER W

sharply. "You get out in front and make every post a winning one Understand? I'll take no excuses" From somewhere near the stands a bugle sounded. The paddock judge called, Mount your jockeys"
 Gimme that leg, white boy" Sam directed, as the valet held the colts head. Madden stepped to Pepper Boy, took the reins III his left hand. clasped his saddle. lifted his left foot. Sam graspet' the jockeys ankle, tossed him up into the saddle, then, took hold of Pepper Boy. Swiftly Madden notted the reins, caught the whip his valet threw to him.
 Bring them out!" the judge called. Come out with that num- Der one horse!"
 eyes, suh, we're comin'," Sam called. As he started the process sion toward the track Madden leaned over, said to Sherry Bond "Okay, IT push him."
 She nodded, her face stern. To herself she said: you'd better push him-you'd better ride him to win!"
 Sherry Bond was standing in the infleld, where she had gone to es- cape talkative friends in the club house. She wanted to watch Pep per Boys first race undisturbed; but Sam, the colts blanket thrown over his shoulders, was growing:
 If that boy gets him off, fast like, we got chance, yesm."
 Sams words formed sharp overtone to the distant droning behind her - buzz of talk among l5OOO persons jammed in the stands, crowded against the track rails.
 Several old owners and trainers were among the small, tense groups in the infield; peerine through tarnished f1eld-glasses al the starting point-watchful, hope full. It had been a long winter without nickel coming in. To night one stable, at least, woule put chicken in the pot. Again Sam was talking aloud t' himself: Jockey Madden - h' coaxin' Pepper Boy toward thu gate - but hoP on there!" he ex claimed more loudly.
 Pepper Boy had headed the lint which cantered, then dropped to walk up to the gate. Now sud- denly the colt stopped - 15 pace behind the starting line. Spread out his legs, shook his head nerV' ously. An assistant starter had ru1 back, was jerking the colts reins.
 "That fool man - ain't got n' business jerkin' baby colt"
 Hush, Sam" :, Sherry saw the colt pull back tear loose from the mans hold then rear upward - just as the SUI shot through clouds, flashed on tn scarlet jacket, purple cross sasi and white cap worn by Jocke. Madden.
 Her heart gave a jump. Tn sight was unbelievably beautiful = thrilling!
 Now she saw Madden sooth Pepper Boy - walk him into tn starting stall - number one by tn rail - but Pepper Boy didn't sto at the starting line with the othe horses - he bolted through. Mad den was turning him around, way ing the assistant starter aside, wa walking Pepper Boy back throug. the stall = turning him aroun again - all the other entries wer m the line. Slowly - slowly-Mad den walked Pepper Boy into hi stall once more, halted him for split second. The starting be changed.
 "They're off!"
 
 The watching thousands cheere and yelled as the field of horses mass of moving color-surged tol ward. But Pepper Boy on the rail the one black cold in the race-Ws stumbling-was falling almost to h. knees-Pepper Boy was left at tn post!
 "Oh, lawsy. lawsy!" Sam moane'
 Sherry felt the blood dralnin from her face = knew her breat had stopped for a second. Tn field was streaking down tn backstretch - was five lengtf ahead before Madden got tt green racer in stride. Somethin cold seemed to clamp Sherry heart. This was racing! Weeks preparation and training and plar ming and hoping then in spl second something happens - horses chances are cut to zero.
 The field was plunging dow the backstretch in brilliant SUI light. the horses kicking up du cloud: and behind the mass horses and riders behind the du; streaked her little black hope running all alone.
 Again the groom was mumohl at her side. "Whats that, Sam Sherry Bond demanded.
 "You didn't give that jockey discretion, Miss Sherry, he grun bled. "You should a-told Madd' to qualify if he sees hisself beat then. he wouldn't but the lit fellows heart. Look, ne's a-wh pin already" :.
 So Madden was. Here in the il field they could hear distinctly Il only the staccato clump Of hoo but also the sharp crack! - crac crack! of Madden's bat on u horses barrel. He was forcn him. Furnishing him. Riding hi to orders.
 "He's a-bustin' the little fellel heart" Sam protetested again.
 "Oh, hush, SamT Sherry spo 1t as a plea. Sam was rights should have done as SO maj horsemen did - Mo- no, she w rightl Always send your horse O to win. Suddenly she leaned 10 ward, her hands clenched. .
 The field was stringing past u A..1a- a.aila ranlA - a haY horse M