The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-05-13
CHAPTER XVI

lie, and Ted, for the less those love-
birds knew OF her worries the bet
ter.
Willie announced at Sunday
lunch: RED Soldier went the mile
and a quarter Derby route In 2:04
this morning that's fastl Lawrifl
won II In 2:04 As In l938-Johns-
town had 10 step II In 2,03 3-5 10
win from Challendon last year
Don't you think Pepper Boy ought
to be speeded up bitP"
II do notl" Sherry answered
positively, buttering bit Of toast
"Im not going 10 leave his race
on the track In a workout; he's
going TO run his fastest In the
Derby--not before. Tomorrow he's
going the route - but under
wraps"
While Pepper Boy was being sad
died, shortly after dawn the next
morning, familiar lanky figure
hove In view.
'shep drantl Sherry exclaim-
cd. why aren't you working out
Monitor"
Haven't you heard the newsp'
he asked glumly, hands In pocket
Hes out OF the Derby. Picked up
q stone while working out yester-
day came limping back TO the
stable. Legs big as an elephants
this morning" -,
"Shep, I'm sorry ~ I truly ami"
He smiled wryly maybe It's
poetic justice -- for buying him TO
beat your colt"
'Torget 1t, shepI That's rae
Ing"
IT know, but ] do want TO
make II up TO you, Sherry. Have
YOU engaged Madden 10 ride Pep
per Boy In the DerbyP"
"No. VIII you take the mount,
Shep? wish you would"
"Will 1? You bet ! Will"
A great load slid OFF Sherry's
shoulders: at last she had the
right Jockey for her colt; n rider
who could make the weight With
out adding lead and as keen
Judge OF pace as there was on the
track, Even Paul admitted that.
"Suppose you take him out now,
Shep. want him TO go the Derby
route In two minutes, six seconds
"Rightoi"
sherry went TO the finish line
where O group OF checkers were
gathered. One bumped, grayish
fellow asked: "You working the
colt this morning, Miss Bond?"
Eyes -- the Derby route -- with
Derby weight up" She knew that
Shep and the exercise saddle
would scale 1876 pounds.
"Well catch him for you Miss
Bond See you got Mr., Grant on
him. He going TO ride Saturday,"
She nodded, Thanks, Miss
Bond" She knew that by mid
day the word would be wired TO
the sporting section Of every paper
In the country.
"There he goes" someone
shouted. There were a dozen
clicks simultaneously as the clock
ers started the split-second hands
on their stop watches.
First quarter In "a 2-5 he's
holding him down." some one
called out.
three-quarters in TIA is =,
the mile, l:40 fiat mile and
a neighth, 1853" Pepper Boy was
coming down the last furlong;
Sherry saw that he was moving
easily, Shep holding a tight rein.
Click
The horse swept under the wire,
Watches were consulted. "The
Derby route in 2;06 hat-under
wraps" the older clocker an
nounced. judicially, as he pocketcd
his watch. "You got good colt
Miss Bond. He'll cause Red
Soldier plenty trouble Saturday
Yes, ma'am."
Two days later the track man.
ager spoke, as Sherry crossed the
Clubhouse lawn. Miss Bond, we
are mighty glad TO have you racing
on our track"
Sherry was puzzled by the sud-
den cordially. why, I'm glad
to be here"
He smiled knowingly. Were
mighty glad to have honorable
folk race here. You see, we know
a certain outfit tried to brige you
to scratch Pepper Boy. We know
you threw him out Of your tack
room"
"Why-how did you know thatP
I haven't told a soul"
I'VE kept an ear to the ground.
Miss Bond. Every Derby colt Is
guarded by us--from the split-sec-
on he put four hoofs on Church.
Ill Downs. You'll have no more
trouble"
She smiled with relief as he
walked away. She had wondered,
wha tif someone tries TO hurt my
colt7 Now she knew he was safe.
Tension at the track grew tight
er as Derby Day approached. Wis.,
itors were pouring into the city,
overlooking to the track TO see their
favorites.
Friday morning. Sherry, with
Uncle Willie >on one side, Ted on
the other, was first at the secre-
tary,s Office as 1t opened to receive
Derby entries. Pepper Boys name
went into the box first, followed
rapidly by q others.
Sharply at 10 ten entries closed
and drawing for post position be-
gan. Red Soldier got No. l, at the
rail. Castanets was No. 4, and
Pepper Boy was given seven places
out.
Shep Grant had come in, and as
positions were announced. he |
moved over 10 Sherry. Never
mind Red Soldier being on the
rail-" he said within confidence.