The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-29

leading by a length. The favorite, Sun Halo Next, two horses Tapped each other, there was a length opening, then came the remainder of the field, jumbled together. And Pepper Boy was running into thas field - he had shot through the dust cloud-he was closing ground fast-he was stealing through on the rail-was alongside that mass of horses. They were passing the three-eights pole - Pepper Boy had made up five lengths in three furlongs!
 Fascinated by this living drama of the track, Sherry felt herself breathing in excited little gasps. She even heard her groom mutter: He sho' got claSs-yeS, sun, he be a run nin' fool-if he kin only hoP out" Madden was still hugging the rail was jamming the colt into space no wider than a handkerchlet - yes, he was on the rail and was sav- ing ground as they went into the lar turn.
 "Lawsy, Miss Sherry, if Pepper Boy had a-got a even start, he'd sho' be spread-eaglin' the field!"
 The little black fellow was run ming neck and neck with two horses in the second division - now was pulling away from them; only three horses in front of him, and one of those, the third horse, run ming bit wide as they turned to- ward the homestretch.
 Sherry Bond could see Madden pointing Pepper Boys nose at the space between that third horse and he rail but that horses jockey suddenly swerved over, took the rail himself, blocked Madden. Pepper Boy pulled out, was coming up, but the third horse shot ahead into a space between 1 Sun Halo on the rail and the out side horse dark chestnut.
 Madden was pocketed. Three horses in front of him, almost on a line, and no jockey would give way and let him through. Then Sherry saw him start a daring move-saw him pull out and start around those lead horses as they entered the stretch - a move no jockey would make unless he stretch runner.
 A wild roar went up from the stands - Sun Halo was still half length in front. The third horse was dropping back, the chestnut was running steadily - but a long shot, Pepper Boy was coming like a house afire on the outside. He was burning up the track!
 Pepper Boy was alongside the chestnut. Now the black was gain- ing on Sun Halo. The favorite - did he swerve then? Another roar from the stands-Pepper Boy was coming up to Sun Halo-the chest nut was out of it - now Pepper Boy was looking Sun Halo in the eye-and only furlong to go!
 A confused despairing cry came from the crowds - that vail al- ways heard when the favorite is being beaten in the stretch - for Sun Halo was dropping back = 1 HOW 11C Wd0 O 11COh HNAAAAANA AAS" ~ half-length. He was through.
 Look at the gray! Look at him coming!" Someone near Sherry shouted. For from the pack of horses gray-No. 4 on his sad dle blanket-Gray Star on the program - wkas shooting forward with reserve speed. Another stretch runner.
 The favorite, Sun Halo, was done for: but Gray Star was com ing on with a might burst of speed. Pepper Boy had left Sun Halo behind - but Gray Star was coming up fast outside of Pepper Boy - now he was at Pepper Boys tail - now at his saddle blanket now at his neck.
 In that last 10 yards Sherry Bond saw Gray Stars rider lash down with his whip - saw Gray Stars white nose shoot forward saw Madden jerk up his colts head - now the noses were on a line now she'd swear Pepper Boy $ nose was in front
 The black and the gray swept , under the wire together. BenlnQ , them thundered in the beaten , field.
 Sam gathered up his blanket; he had thrown it on the ground in his excitement. Looks like we , win sure, Miss Sherry" he said hopefully, as they walked toward teh finish point.
 A confused murmur was going l up from the stands - was it a photo finish? Would the judges wait to inspect a picture of the finish before putting up the win- ner's number?
 ] As Sherry and her groom l reached the track, horses were jogging back to the finish line - = jockeys were dismounting, taking
 ~a AD