view raw text
CAREER OF EMPEROR OF NORFOLK. J Events Won by One of the Greatest Racers I of American Turf History. The death of the fifth -winner of the American Derby removes a great figure in that now almost forgotten male line of descent that formerly dominated the American turf, and runs tack through Norfolk, Lexington, Boston, Timoleon and Sir Archy to DIomed, the first winner of the Epsom Derby. Emperor of Norfolk was a mighty race liorse. In a fashion he was a Chicago liorse, his racing career beginning and terminating at Washington Park. Ills career was followed with admiring interest by a host of devoted Chicago adherents from start to finish. He was a big, majestic appearing bay, foaled in 1SS3, and a son of Norfolk and the famous broodmare. Marion, by the abused son of Bonnie Scotland, Malcolm. His sire, Norfolk, was by many deemed the best son of Lexington, a hard thing to say in view of the many all-conquering sons of Lexington. Emperor of Norfolk began his racing career In the Kenwood Stakes at Washington Park Saturday, July 2. 1S87, and won easily from King Idle, Colonel Zeb Ward, and seven more two-year-olds, without a particle of trouble. Then as they came on for decision he won the Hyde Park Stakes and Lakevlew Handicap, his stable mates Winona aud Los Angeles second. His first defeat was in the Quickstep Stakes, where in a heads apart finish he was third to Raceland and Van Leland at a half mile run in 4SJ. It was a tremendous finish and created vast excitement. From Washington Park Emperor of Norfolk was taken to Saratoga and won in succession the Saratoga Stakes, Virginia Stakes. Kentucky Stakes and Tennessee Stakes witli no intervening defeat. His first start was for the Saratoga Stakes. Dwyer Bros, started the fine colt, King Fish, which had won the Flash Stakes on the opening day of the meeting, and lie was a hot favorite at 4 to 5. with "The Emperor" second choice at 9 to 5. The latter won in a canter by three lengths, with King Fish second and Satan third. From Saratoga he was taken to Monmouth Park and, starting in the Select Stakes, -was unplaced for the. first time. Sir Dixon winning, with FItz James second and Cascade third. Then lie went to Sheepshead Bay and, with 122 pounds up, won the Autumn Stakes from Ballston, 111, Tea Tray, 10SJ, and seven others. Tea Tray was the favorite at 11 to 5, but Emperor of Norfolk won pulled up by two lengths. Then he was sent against older liorses in the Flight Stakes, but ran unplaced, Captain Sam Browns crack mller, Sruyvesant, winning, with Touche Pas second and Florence E. third. At Gravesend the flying filly, Geraldine, beat him a head in a grand struggle for the Prospect Stakes and he .won the Algeria Stakes from Raceland, Galllfet and Satan with great ease. In the Laurel Stakes, giving away much weight, he ran third to George Oyster and Los Angeles. George Oyster was himself a very high-class young horse. At Jerome Park ho won two purses. He was taken to Washington and, with 122 pounds up, ran third lo Raceland, 115 and George Oyster, 115, for the Arlington Stakes over the old Ivy City track. His last race as a two-year-old was at Kansas City, where he stopped ott while cn route to California for his winters rest and won the Citizens Stakes from Wheeler T., Los Angeles and two more over a very heavy track. His career as a three-year-old was one of triumph, but- began witli a defeat, This was in the Troubadour Stakes at Nashville, Tenn. Here he ran second to Cruiser at a mile and an eighth,, run In l:53j, very fast for --that day of deep bnd slow tracks. It was a crack field and behind him finished Volante, Terra Cotta, Badge, Paragon and Macbeth. Macbeth was the favorite at 2i to 1 and Emperor of Norfolk aud Volante coupled, were at 5 to 1. Cruiser was a terribly fast liorse and, being by Wanderer, was, like Emperor of Norfolk, a grandson of Lexington. But he was none too sound aud did not last long. A few days later Emperor of Norfolk won the Lawyers Stakes from White, Cruiser. Badge and Huntress and was then taken east. His first start there was for the Brooklyn Derby, which he won from Sir Dixon, Prince Royal, Raceland nnd Tennyson, all being high-class race, horses except Tennyson. He was the favorite at 11 to 10 and an easy winner in 2:0S for the mile and a quarter route of the Derby as it then was. At Jerome Park he won a purse, the Bronx Handicap and the Spuyten-Duyvel Stakes, no really good horse3 opposing him. At Sheepshedd Bay he won the Swift Stakes with 125 pounds up. Cruiser, 115, being second, King Crab, 107, third and three others running unplaced. Then he was brought to Chicago. Starting first in the American Derby, he was waited with until Isaac Murphy was ready to cut him loose, then strode to the front and won eased up. Falcon was second, with Los Angeles third; The Chevalier. White. Billy Pinker-ton and The Lion ran unplaced. It was a slow track and the time 2:40?. In the Drexel Stakes lie was only opposed by Ariste and Galllfet and won cantering. Then lie wound up his grand career as a race "horse when he easily won the Sheridan Stakes from Galllfet, namlet and Loveland. He fell lame, raced no more and went to the stud. As a sire he begot many . useful liorses and some good ones. Perhaps his best was Rey del Caredes, which, under the name of Americus, was the leading sire in Ireland this year. Cruzados was another remarkably fast son of his. nis record was as follows: Emperor of Norfolk, b. h, 1885," by Norfolk-Marion. Year. Age. Sts. 1st. 2d. 3d. Unp. Won. 1557 2 IS 12 1 3 2 0,490 1558 3 11 9 1 1 0 35,910 Totals ...2 29 21 2 4 2 2,400
