The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-08-25
NORWICH NEAR
END Of CAREER
PUZZLES TURF

BY HASTINGS MURRAY.
Consolidated Press Correspondent
(Copyright. 1892, by The Argus)

By HASTINGS MURRAY.
Consolidated Press Correspondent.
Copyright, 1892, by The Argus)
Saratoga, N. Y, Aug. 25.-Mor-
vich, unconquered as a two-year-
old, winner last year Of IL straight
races, and successful in this years
Kentucky derby, acclaimed at that
time-only last Mays the wor-
thy successor to the great Man O.
War, is the puzzle Of the racing
year. But it has been decided that
he will have on more chance be-
fore he passes entirely out of the
turf picture.
Here, at horse haven, where he
was expected to repeat his tri-
umphs Of q year ago when he first
began to scintillate in the thor
oughbred world, none is so poor as
to do him honor. His owner, Ben
jamin Block, who took him to
Churchill Downs with all of the
pomp and splendor of an equine
king, has very little to say when
his name is mentioned. His train
er, the veteran Fred Berlew, chokes
when he mentions the colt. The
tickle followers of racing, those
who were loudest to cheer and
praise him only few short months
ago, now curse him as a dog
whenever he appears on the track
for work.
The apparent downfall Of Nor
vich presents the strangest case in
the annals Of the American turf.
| When he won the derby at Louis
vile he stepped the mile and a
quarter at a pace that had all OF
his rivals dizzy before half the
race was covered. Then he went
to Latonia and defeat. The excuse
was made that, probably, he had
had too much racing. He was
shipped back to Jamaica and then
brought here and taken up into
training again.
Disgraceful Defeat.
In his morning work he appear
ed to show all Of his old fire and
stamina Last Monday he was en-
tered in a sprint at seven furlongs.
The fame of his recent trials scar
ed away all of the owners with a
single exception. Norwich started
away in the lead, only to curl up
at the three-quarters and finish a
disgraceful four lengths behind the
only other contestant, colt that
last year was not considered within
80 pounds Of him.
Then the anvil chorus began. De-
nounced as a gutter and worthless
his owner and trainer were told
that he even would disgrace selling
races if he entered in them. What
was the matter? Frankly. Block did
not know Neither did Berlew
Wednesday he was worked with a
mile with the erratic Buddy" En-
! zor, best horseman in America
when right, on his back. Growing
disgrace of all, he was equipped
with blinkers. mark of the rogue
since the earliest days of the run,
ming turf. The workout was fair
he covering the route in 1:42 2-5
He earned another chance. If he
makes good when he gets it he will
be kept in training. If not, he will
be retired to the stud in the hope
that he can transmit his former
speed to son or daughter.
Century's Freak Horse.
/ Norwich is one of the freal
horses Of the century. AS a year.
ling he was shipped from thu
Spreckels farm in California to the
east simply as a companion fol
Run Star, who afterwards proved
not to be Of stake caliber. He mad.
his first start in selling race. and
after galloping to victory, was SOLE
to Maxey Hirsch for $4,000. TIL,
latter thought little of his bargain
and speedily turned him over tt
Berlew at a small advance.
In his two-year-old year, Nor
vich won $115,234, to which he add
ed $4,000 this year. Playful as
kitten, everyone in the stable i.
roofing for him to come back. H,
has no bad habits, although he like.
to loaf in his work and races, ant
occasionally has to be aroused will
the whip.
Mysterious Malady7
Many horsemen suggest he is
victim Of mysterious malad,
: which has robbed him of his spec.
and strength, but veterinarians VIII,
have looked him over can find moth
ing. But his recent failures max
him another puzzle OF the man,
, which mystify race horse owners.