From Spicer Club to Whirlaway

   I'm sure all you fellow horse lovers saw the odd event occurring at Pimlico a couple days ago. These beautiful creatures have the silliest characters and that is something to admire. However, that Spicer Cub drifted way out to the outside rail, and still came with a furious rally down the stretch, was more to admire. Obviously, this odd event drew attention, and many of us were astonished by the effort. Well, I'd like to share a certain horse who did similar things, day in and day out, time and time again. 

   Whirlaway was a big chestnut, who was bred and owned by ol' Calumet. From the beginning, Whirlaway was held to high expectations. Not only was he owned by Calumet, and trained by the great Ben Jones, but his pedigree sparkled. One might argue he was bound for greatness with Blenheim, Sweep, Ben Brush, Swynford, Domino and Commando all in his intermediate pedigree.

   In Whirlaway's first race, he ran directly to the outside rail, followed the whole way around, and won. Jones noted it was not something he, or anyone, had ever seen before. With his odd style, young Whirlaway went on to win the Saratoga Special Stakes and the Breeders' Futurity in his two year old year.

   Before the prestigous Run for the Roses took place, Jones created something a bit out of the ordinary: A one-eyed blinker. Ever heard of one of those? I haven't, until I was enlightened of this wonderful story by a fellow colleague. Jones had Whirlaway train with the equipment prior to the Kentucky Derby. He cut a small hole in the blinker, then positioned Whirlaway ten feet off the rail. Using this brand new equipment, the great Whirlaway went on to win the 1941 Triple Crown. He also became the first Triple Crown winner to ever win the Travers Stakes in the same year. That's also why we call Ben Jones "great".

   Whirlaway wasn't done after his tremendous three year old season; coming back for a four year old season, Whirlaway dominated his opponents and won the Mass Handicap, Brooklyn Handicap, Dixie Handicap, Trenton Handicap, and the Jockey Gold Cup. All his wins were tremendous, but he had more to prove.

   Whirlaway was set to face Alsab in the Narragansett Special. Whirlaway beat Alsab, stamping himself as a legend.

   Whirlaway was the 1941 Triple Crown Champion and Horse of the Year. He won 32 of 60 career races. He was nicknamed "Mr. Long Tail", as he had the longest tail of a thoroughbred anyone had ever seen.  This legend was so unpredictable, he made fearless Eddie Acaro sweat. The legend was inducted to the Racing Hall of Fame in 1959, as he is accompianed by his trainer Ben Jones and his main jockey Eddie Arcaro.

From Spicer Cub to Whirlaway... It doesn't get much better than that!

-Ed (a.k.a Rafirox)