The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-05-22
VICTORY OF NORWICH
INDICATES TRAINING
Method OF OWNERS
By FRANK Q. MENKn

7 BY FRANK 6. MENKE
/ The brilliant triumphs of Norwich
in the Kentucky Derby was something
more than the twining of news sprays
of laurel into the huge wreath already
owned by Americas super-race horse.
1t was the vindication of the scoffed
at and ridiculed training methods of
Fred Burlew; by smart alexis" Of the
turf world, who sought to belittle
once obscure trainer.
Norwich came from California a
trifle more than a year ago and was
so little thought of by Billy Carroll, who
then trained him, that he was entered
IN a $2,5oo selling race. Afterwards
Norwich was sold for $4,000 to Maxey
Hirsch, regarded as one Of the shrewd-
est trainers on the American turf.
And Hirsch, presumed infallible
Judge of horse-flesh, sold the horse to
Burlew for a figure around $500.
Before Burlew made his purchase
anyone could have had Norwich for
that sum-perhaps less. But even
though Norwich had won three
straight races, without drawing long
breath, all of the fashionable trainers
around New York parts, gave no
like Carroll and Hirsch, didn't like his
knotty legs. his rather ungainly con-
formation, his none too aristocrat1c
breeding.
Saw Possibilities
But Burlew saw in Norwich the Won
der horse of the age-and every dol
lar he had in the world was used in
the purchase OF the then ugly duck
ling of turfdom.
, When Burlew bought Norwich, the
highbrow trainers sneeringly remark
ed that "Burlew is a nut for buying
that mutt" When Burlew, only few
days afterward, sold a half interest
in Norwich to Ben Block for $4,000,
all turfdom, which had been ridicul-
ing Burlew's claims Of greatness for
Norwich, concluded that Block is a
bit nuttier than Burlew."
But when Norwich, under the expert
handling of Burlew, won one race al
ter another, whipped every crack two
year-old in the east, gathered in win
nings of $4,000 and II straight races,
those who had scoffed Burlew and
Block became silent. Envy had LETT
them rather speeches..
But with the coming of springtime,
the chance came again for the train
ers and experts" to scott and jeer at
Burlew. For when Burlew started
sending the mighty colt half miles in
AS and miles aound 1:40, those rae
ing experts" who long ago cultivated
the idea that they all were Solomon
like in their knowledge of turf affairs,
caustically remarked:
Thought BurIew Fool
"Burlew is a fool to run his horse
that way-and Block is a double bar
relied fool to permit him to do it.
Norwich will go to the post not merely
over-trained but absolutely worn out
by those insane speed trials Burlew is
giving him. It's too bad some smart
trainer isn't handling Norwich"
To all those who sneered at him and
questioned his training methods, Bur-
lew, in quiet, calm way, answered:
Norwich is a super-horse. / know
it-so does Mr.. Block. But lot of
persons don't. That's why they con-
denim. They figure that it's taking
the snap out of Norwich to send him
a half in 46 or mile in lao. But
| in the year that l have handled this
mighty colt, l have found that 1t re
quires no greater effort on his part
to do a half mile in 46 than it does
in 81.
1.-The trouble in handling Norwich
is not to get speed out of him, but
rather to hold him down. In his every
workout the boy has had to fight him
to keep him from smashing all the
stop watches on the track.
Predicted Derby Win
Norwich will win the Derby-of1
by himself The idea that he can't &C
a distance and still carry his phenom
email speed will be scattered for al
time when the finish line is crossed
If Norwich is drawing a long breath
after that race is over-if he shows
any positive sign of having been in 6
gruelling race with the best three
year-olds in the land-I'll be sur
prised"
Every prediction of Burlew came
true. The amazing son of Runnymede
took the lead with the barriers rise
and never afterward was in danger
He withstood five different challenge:
from behind-and raced every pre-
tender to his crown TO the ground. HI
ran in front for the entire distance
made his own pace, and won eased up
And, when he went back to the judges
stand he was a calm and as cool a!
lnOugn ne ndu just Deen led from MI
stall after night of sleep.
Il don't think the horse lives stoda!
or ever did live-who can take tn,
measure of Norwich" modestly de
clares Burlew. In the II races of hi
lifetime he has been headed but one,
\ lin the Pimlico Futurity And tina
twas done purposely so Mr. Block ant
5 l could find out whether the colt coult
run from behind. Hard held for sew
en-eighths of mile that day he jump
ed forward when let down-and wa
in front going away at the end
Norwich owns no time records
simply because he never has been lie
out to his limit. The day may com
when some horse will press hin
through an entire journey. If it doe
whether the distance is six or 1
furlongs-I feel confident Norwich vii
shatter the worlds record for the dis
lance"