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THE RUNNER BY A NECK Outlasts Star Mint in Thursdays Main Event at Charles Town. Johnny Bane Furnishes Big Surprise in Winning Second Race at Long Odds. CHARLES TOWN, W. Va., Dec. 8 Picking up 111 pounds, which included three pounds overweight of jockey A. Page, the four-year-old gelding The Runner, sporting the peacock blue and green racing silks of A. Delia Porta, earned his sixth victory in fifteen trips to the starting post this year when he registered a front-running victory in. the fourth and best race at Charles Town today. Opposed by six other mediocre sprinters, the son of Nassak Atalante, a superior off-track performer, completed the Charles Town Course, 120 feet more than six furlongs, a neck in advance of E. K. Hillmans three-year-old filly Star Mint. Dominating their positions from the drop of the flag, the fighting leaders, with The Runner far out on the outside of the course, were three lengths in advance of Mattapony, which captured third for J. B. Corridon. Lingerie led the three others, which cut no figure in the running. RULES STRONG CHOICE. The Runner ruled a strong choice for the abbreviated distance and he flashed out with his best speed immediately to supply the early pace. He went along several lengths before Star Mint during the early part of the contest and was showing a high grade of ability in the sticky footing as jockey A. Page permitted his mount to set a rather stiff pace. Going along smoothly until reaching the home stretch the Delia Porta gelding appeared to have his opponents soundly whipped as he enjoyed a lead of four lengths, but there was a closing up at the stretch turn, with Star Mint driving up fast on the inside to engage the Nassak gelding. In the final eighth, with Mattapony not far away, the two principals waged a stirring argument, and The Runner proved best under the energetic finish of his rider. No noticeable change, despite constant work on the racing strip, ook place, and once again mud runners were given an opportunity. Colder weather was on tap and the crowd was of average size. LIVES UP TO NOTICES. Going to the post for the first time in her career, and ruling as the choice, Rolling Past, juvenile daughter of Rollin In Queen Nassau lived up to advance notices when she defeated seven others of her age in the first race, to start the public off on the right foot. Racing for A. L. Leith, and ridden by jockey R. Klein, the bay filly showed good ability over the deep racing strip and led throughout the "about" lour and one-half furlongs dash, to earn her racing diploma in a driving finish. She reached the line one length in front of Counora, from the E. Samaha stable, while Oddesa Romeo captured third fop M. B. Goff. The first three dominated the running from the beginning.
