Inaugurated in 1928 and named after one of the famous families in American racing, the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes will be run this weekend at Saratoga, one of the most exciting races of the ‘Spa’ meeting.
A look at the past winners and videos of past editions brings to mind some of the great racehorses in history. Horses such as KELSO, who won it three times, each two years part, under at least 130 pounds (his 1963 win video is below).
There was STYMIE, TOM FOOL, DR. FAGER, ANCIENT TITLE (ridden by Sandy Hawley), ALYDAR and EASY GOER (the last three-year-old to win the race) all winners of the 1 1/8 mile dirt event.
PERSONAL ENSIGN, the brilliant filly, beat boys when she won in 1988. Two Canadian-breds won in consecutive years – AWESOME AGAIN in 1998 and VICTORY GALLOP in 1999. Awesome Again won an odd running of the race as the very slow pace had him tracking Tale of the Cat all the way (he was usually a stretch runner) and then he went on to win under a Pat Day hand ride.
A famous (infamous?) edition was in 1973 when Triple Crown winner Secretariat, battling on the rail in the stretch against older horses, lost to longshot ONION, a stinky result for fans of Big Red.
More recently, the race has been won by Medaglia D’Oro, Blame, Gun Runner and White Abarrio.
Who will win this year’s Whitney? Tune in Saturday to the Saratoga card.
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