Ill-Mannered Whirlaway Was Winner

Posted by BarbaraAnne Helberg Jun 2, 2007

Triple Crown Snapshots: Sir Barton

If Count Fleet was considered a tad ill-mannered and run crazy, then Whirlaway was the over the edge, complete head case who ran however he chose to a wire. The thing is, Whirlaway may have run like a demon, but he won incomparably.

As one of the successful Calumet Farm (Lexington, Kentucky) thoroughbreds, Whirlaway was ridden by the two most skillful and knowledgeable jockeys of three decades, Johnny Longden and Eddie Arcaro. Whirlaway (1941) preceded Citation (1948) as Calumet's second Triple Crown titlest, giving the powerful breeding stable two triplers in the same decade. In all, Calumet boasted eight Kentucky Derby winners.

Belair Stud accomplished this feat in the 1930s with their two great champions, Gallant Fox (1930) and his son, Omaha (1935). Whirlaway and Citation were not related, although they both had strong bloodlines.

Whirlaway, his own master, was a Blenheim II colt of enormous talent, but erratic racing tendencies. If not for his patient handling by trainer Ben Jones, Whirlaway may never have achieved Triple Crown glory.

The chestnut terror went through a number of jockeys including Longden and Wendall Eads, before Arcaro displayed what Jones sought for the colt. Jones had employed Arcaro previously and successfully. Arcaro had guided Jones' Lawrin to the trainer's first Kentucky Derby win in 1938. Jones liked Arcaro's tactical ability and gentle riding hands.

The pairing was successful throughout the remainder of Whirlaway's career. The colt raced for four seasons, boosted the war bond effort with exhibitions and won 32 times from 60 posts.

Both winners, Whirlaway and Arcaro did it their way.