Racing! Whirlaway is No. 7 in Triple Crown countdown; Great card at Santa Anita

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we get closer to No. 1 on the Triple Crown countdown.

Let’s get to it right away, as we reveal which horse is No. 7 in the 12-horse Triple Crown countdown.

7. Whirlaway (1941) 67 points

Whirlaway was the fifth winner of the Triple Crown. He was known as “Mr. Longtail” for the way this hair appendage would flow behind him as he ran. He had a mind of his own and an unpredictability that made him very difficult to train. In his first race, he ran to the outside rail yet still won by a nose. The panelists were very split on where this horse belongs in Triple Crown lexicon. Three voters had him in ninth, two in eighth, two in seventh, one in sixth, two in fifth and one voter had him third.

He will always be the most-raced Triple Crown winner having run 60 times, winning 32 times. He finished out of the money only four times. His running style was usually to come from the back of the pack but a look at his past performance lines is littered with the phrases “bore out” and “drifted out.”

Justify never raced as a 2-year-old. Whirlaway raced 16 times, winning seven of those. He finished his 2-year-old campaign on Nov. 14 at Pimlico and was back racing on Feb. 8, winning an allowance at Hialeah in Florida. He raced six more times before the Kentucky Derby finishing second in the Blue Grass Stakes and Kentucky Derby Trial.

He was still difficult to keep straight so Eddie Arcaro was brought in to ride him for the Kentucky Derby. Legend has it that just before the race trainer Ben Jones whipped out a pocket knife and cut a hole in the colt’s left blinker so he could just see to the inside, which he hoped would keep him from going outside. It worked. Despite being near the back of the pack for the first part of the race, Whirlaway put forth a furious rally to win by eight lengths.

A week later in Baltimore, he went last to first to win the Preakness by a cruising 5 ½ lengths. As was the norm back then, he slipped in a race in between the second and third races of the Triple Crown, winning a five-horse allowance by 2 ¼ lengths. By then, no one really wanted to race Whirlaway in the Belmont Stakes and only three other horses entered the race. Seeing a snail-like pace, Whirlaway went to the lead early and won by 2 ½ lengths with little exertion. You can see a video of parts of his Triple Crown races here.

He raced nine more times that year, winning six. He is the only Triple Crown champion to also win the Travers Stakes. He ran 22 times as a 4-year-old, winning half of his races. Among one of his more memorable defeats was a match race against his rival Alsab at Narragansett Park in Rhode Island. He came flying at the end but ended up a nose short.

He made two undistinguished appearances in 1943 before being sent to the breeding shed in 1944. He produced some good horses for owner Calumet Farm and in 1950 he was leased to a French breeder, where he lived a few more years. He was there to help rebuild the horse stock that had been depleted by World War II. He died in 1953 of a heart attack. He was 15.

For a longer look at Whirlaway, here’s an ESPN documentary on him.

The Times Triple Crown panel is composed of horse racing experts, journalists and racing secretaries. It members are Rick Hammerle, racing secretary at Santa Anita; Steve Haskin, racing author and columnist the BloodHorse; David Jerkens, racing secretary at Del Mar; Tim Layden, turf writer at Sports Illustrated; Tom Pedulla, lead writer for America’s Best Racing; Jay Privman, national correspondent for the Daly Racing Form; Jeff Siegel, veteran horseman and lead commentator at XBTV.com; Childs Walker, turf writer at the Baltimore Sun; Alicia Wincze Hughes, racing editor at the BloodHorse; Jon White, racing historian and morning-line maker at Santa Anita and Tim Wilkin, turf writer at the Albany Times Union.

Vote totals were 14 points for first place, 12 for second, 10 for third, and then one point less in descending order.

Our handicapping lesson

Here’s our weekly contribution from Rob Henie of the WCHR (West Coast Handicapping Report) and the ECHR (East Coast Handicapping Report). The thinking is if you can know and understand the strategies, it will make you a better handicapper.

Today’s lesson is from Saturday’s fifth race at Santa Anita.

“This is a $25,000 non-winners of two lifetime event at a mile on the turf, and we’ve got two lessons with regard to our top pick CHRISTMAS CAROL (#8). First, notice they can’t get her to string races back to back, as, only one time in her career has she been able to run consecutive races. This is precisely why you can expect a well meant effort, as they’re not sure when and if they’ll be able to get her back anytime soon, thus the need for a good effort and check, right now. Also note, he comes off his maiden victory, running in this N2L, and as a general rule, consistent hard working recent maiden winners, are usually the best type of runners to back with regard to the cheaper N2L type of races, races comprised of only maiden winners. The mentality of many handicappers with regard to these cheap non-winners of two events is just so backwards, here’s what we mean — many handicappers downplay the recent maiden winner, regardless of the level, giving them less credence than even multiple losers at this level, horses who’ve already been defeated at this same N2L condition, many having lost on numerous occasions. Think about that for a second — why should a horse coming off a possible career catalyst maiden win where confidence was finally gained finishing down the lane in front of the others, be looked at in a more negative light than a horse whose only win to their own credit was also a maiden win, and since then, have lost at this same N2L level, many on multiple occasions? Would you rather back a proven multiple loser, or a recent maiden winner? Or horses who already won their maiden event, and since, have shown nothing against other multiple losers since that maiden score? Remember, nobody has won a race outside of their maiden score. Let’s look for a good effort here today. LOOKING AT THELAKE (#1) gets two turns against N2L types, and that’s the right combination. Gary Stevens isn’t nearly as effective these days from off the pace, but this one fits really well and we do need to include here.

“Hot / Cold Race Trends: none

“Win Contenders (order of preference): 8-1

“X Out Runners (eliminating on the win end): 5

“Negative Notes:

“4 Lethal Legacy - Often appears ominous turning for home but plain and simple, doesn’t offer anything the final ⅛ of a mile.

“7 Midnight Lily - Not visually impressed with his action down the lane last time out.

“Morning Line Underlays / Overlays:

“8 Christmas Carol - Morning Line 4-1 / WCHR Line 5-2

“TOP PICK: CHRISTMAS CAROL (#8 4-1 Bejarano)

“SECOND CHOICE: LOOKING AT THELAKE (#1 2-1 Stevens)”

^{The West Coast Handicapping Report can be found at https://www.westcoasthorseracing.com It has been endorsed by leading trainers, handicappers and industry sources.}

Santa Anita review

Touching Rainbows just held on to win Friday’s $69,000 allowance feature at Santa Anita, contested over six furlongs. It was Touching Rainbows’ third win in a row, although it was close, beating Moe Candy by a nose. The 5-year-old gelding paid $3.20, $2.20 and $2.10 as the prohibitive favorite for trainer Phil D’Amato.

“We’re going to use this as a prep for the San Carlos (June 23),” D’Amato told Mike Willman of Santa Anita. “He had a tough battle with Moe Candy, who’s a very good horse. This should set him up well.”

D’Amato claimed the horse seven races ago for a mere $25,000. Flavien Prat was the jockey.

Santa Anita preview

Really great card at Santa Anita on Saturday with two stakes, one a star-studded race for fillies and mares. First post is 12:30 p.m. for the 10-race card. The big race, at about 4:50 p.m., is the Grade 1 $400,000 Beholder Mile. Three of the six horses entered are clear standouts. Unique Bella is the 3-5 favorite for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and jockey Mike Smith. She has five graded stakes wins at Santa Anita and is seven of 10 lifetime. Her last race was a second in the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park.

Paradise Woods, for trainer Richard Mandella and jockey Flavien Prat, is the 2-1 second favorite. She was third in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff but hasn’t won in three races including that won. Her last win came in the Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita in September.

Vale Dori is the 4-1 third choice. She runs for Bob Baffert and is ridden by Rafael Bejarano. She finished second in this race last year, losing by a neck to the great Stellar Wind. She is five of eight at Santa Anita.

The other stakes is the $200,000 Snow Chief Stakes for Cal-breds going 1 1/8 miles on the turf. Take The One O One, a tribute to one of Los Angeles’ most unnavigable arteries because of too much traffic, is the 5-2 favorite for Brian Koriner. The trainer also has Waya Ed, at 4-1, in the seven-horse field. Hardboot, for Michele Dollase, is the second favorite at 3-1.

There are four turf races on the card and the field sizes are decent. They are, in order, 8, 6, 9, 6, 8, 9, 7, 10, 6, 9.

Big races preview

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Saturday. All times PST.

1:40 Penn National: $100,000 New Start Stakes, Penn-bred fillies 3 years old, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Smokinpaddylassie (2-1)

1:57 Woodbine: Grade 2 $175,000 Connaught Cup Stakes, 4 and up, 7 furlongs on turf. Favorite: Forge (2-1)

2:10 Penn National: $100,000 Lyphard Stakes, Penn-bred fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/16 miles on turf. Favorite: Great Soul (9-5)

2:40 Penn National: $100,000 Danzig Stakes, Penn-bred 3 years old, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Midnight Poker (5-2)

3:10 Penn National: $100,000 Penn Ladies Dash, fillies and mares 3 and up, 5 furlongs on turf. Favorite: Morticia (5-2)

3:48 Santa Anita: $200,000 Snow Chief Stakes, Cal-breds 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Favorite: Take The One O One (5-2)

4:53 Santa Anita: Grade 1 $400,000 Beholder Mile, fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 mile. Favorite: Unique Bella (3-5)

7:42 Churchill Downs: Grade 3 $100,000 Aristides Stakes, 3 and up, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Wilbo (9-5)

Bob Ike’s SA play of the day

SEVENTH RACE: No. 3 Waya Ed (4-1)

Only seven sophomores in this Cal-bred stakes going nine furlongs on turf but it is a competitive race. Let's give the edge to this gelding from the Brian Koriner barn, who might get a good trip behind his speedier barn mate on the rail and a couple others, then be in the right spot turning for home. He has an improving pattern and faced older runners last time out.

Friday’s result: Twisted Rosie ($6.40) lagged back early but cruised up on the turn and dominated through the final furlong as the second betting choice.

Bob Ike is a Partner/VP of Horsebills.com (here’s a video) and the proprietor of BobIkePicks.com (full-card picks, 3 Best Plays and betting strategy).

Ed Burgart’s LA play of the day

FOURTH RACE: No. 7 An Act Of Aggression (3-1)

She showed sharp improvement in second lifetime start two weeks ago when third from the rail post after veering inward several lanes at the start. She finished trying hard vs. winner Valiant Nights, who ran third in a futurity trial last year. She broke slow in debut one month ago when also drawn near the inside and now moves to the far outside post. In addition, she adds lasix.

Final thought

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And now the stars of the show, Friday’s results and Saturday’s entries.

GRAYCASTER forced out by the riderless horse early, stalked outside a rival, bid alongside the pacesetter on the turn, took the lead leaving the turn, inched away then drew clear under a tap of the whip and a brisk hand ride then a long hold late. PLATINUM EQUITY steadied early, chased off the rail then outside a rival on the turn, came out into the stretch and gained the place. EL ASESINO broke in and a bit slowly, settled just off the rail, went outside a rival on the turn, came out into the stretch and outfinished a rival for the show. MASTER RULER steadied and forced out by the riderless horse early, had speed outside then inched away and angled in, set the pace inside, dueled on the turn and weakened in the stretch. SIR VALENTINE saved ground stalking the pace to the stretch and weakened. CANDY CREW sent between horses early then drifted out and lost the rider passing the gap. The stewards conducted an inquiry into the early running before ruling no other runners were responsible for the incident to CANDY CREW. QUARTER AND HALF MILE HAND TIMED.

DESERT STONE (IRE) stalked outside a rival then inside, waited off heels leaving the second turn and into the stretch, split horses in midstretch, bid inside under urging to gain the lead in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. LA LA LAND (IRE) stalked off the rail then bid three deep on the backstretch and second turn, took a short lead into the stretch, inched away nearing midstretch, fought back in deep stretch and was edged between rivals. MAGIC MUSKETIER bobbled some a the start, chased inside then outside a rival, came three deep into the stretch and finished with interest between foes late. PEPE TONO angled in and settled a bit off the rail then inside, came out into the stretch and again in upper stretch and went on willingly late four wide on the line. TRUE LOYALTY prompted the pace outside a rival then between foes on the backstretch and second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. KYLEMORE had good early speed and set a pressured pace inside, fought back on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the drive.

TOUCHING RAINBOWS stalked outside then off the rail, bid outside the runner-up leaving the turn, put a head in front in midstretch, responded when headed past midstretch and gamely prevailed under urging. MOE CANDY sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, dueled leaving the turn and into the stretch, fought back to a short lead in deep stretch and continued gamely to the end. CONQUEROR saved ground stalking the pace throughout and edged a rival for the show. BLAMEITONTHELAW chased three deep then outside a rival, went up three wide leaving the turn and into the stretch and was edged for third. K THIRTY EIGHT close up stalking the pace off the rail then between foes leaving the turn and into the stretch, weakened in the drive. SUNSET DRAGUNN broke a step slowly, chased between horses then a bit off the rail, dropped back on the turn and gave way.

IB PROSPECTING chased outside a rival then off the rail, came three deep into the stretch, bid between horses under left handed urging to gain the lead in deep stretch and proved best. BOBBIE LINCOLN squeezed some at the start, pulled her way along outside to chase the pace, came four wide into the stretch, bid three deep a sixteenth out but could not quite match the winner. KENTAN ROAD sped to the early lead, kicked clear and angled in, set the pace inside, could not match the top pair in the final sixteenth but held third. UTANA saved ground chasing the pace, was in a bit tight off heels early on the turn, got through inside on the turn and in the stretch and lacked the needed rally. CREATIVE SPARK angled in and stalked the pace inside, came a bit off the rail in the drive and weakened. GET YOURSELF HOME crossed inward and stalked the leader outside a rival, continued between horses into the stretch and also weakened. ROYAL ASTRONOMER chased inside then a outside a rival on the turn, dropped back a bit off the rail leaving the turn and into the stretch and had little left for the drive. LADY'S WAR DRESS broke out a bit and steadied at the start, settled outside a rival, dropped back a bit off the rail on the turn and also had little left for the stretch.

VASILIKA chased outside a rival or just off the rail, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch, gained the lead outside a rival in midstretch, drifted in and won clear under left handed urging and a long hold late. THE TULIP (IRE) angled in and settled just off the rail, swung out into the stretch and edged a rival late for the place. INDIA MANTUANA pulled and stalked off the rail, bid outside the early leader on the backstretch and into the second turn, took the lead and angled in, battled along the inside in midstretch, then could not match the winner and was edged late for second. AMBOSELI saved ground stalking the pace, split horses leaving the second turn, bid between rivals into the stretch and was outkicked in the final furlong. PRICEDTOPERFECTION bobbled onto the course proper, angled in and saved ground off the pace, came out in the stretch and lacked the needed rally. FUERZA chased outside a rival or off the rail, continued three deep leaving the second turn, bid three wide between foes into the stretch and weakened. DEMIGODDESS sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, dueled on the backstretch and into the second turn, dropped back leaving that turn and also weakened.

HOT AUTUMN angled in and dueled outside a rival, took the advantage into the stretch and drew clear under urging. ROYAL DESCENDENT chased off the rail then outside into the turn, came three wide into the stretch and was clearly second best. AUNT LUBIE saved ground off the pace, came out some in midstretch, went around a rival in deep stretch and bested the others. STORMING LADY had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. KINDRED came out early and stalked outside a rival then off the rail on the turn and weakened in the drive. MY MIDNIGHT AFFAIR broke a bit slowly, chased three deep then outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and had little left for the lane. CHICKATINI stalked the pace off the rail, dropped back leaving the turn and weakened thereafter. UNAFFORDABLE U . chased between horses, angled in on the turn, dropped back leaving the turn and gave way

TWISTED ROSIE chased four wide then angled in outside a rival on the turn, came out four wide into the stretch, collared the runner-up under urging nearing the sixteenth pole and won clear under a late hold. UNO TROUBLE MAKER had speed between horses then dueled outside a rival, inched away and angled in on the turn, kicked clear, could not match the winner in the final furlong but held second. WILLOWS BABE a bit slow into stride, saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and was edged for the place. TIGER MOM stalked the pace off the rail, bid between horses into the turn, continued off the inside leaving the turn, drifted in some in the stretch and weakened. PALACE PAYNTER close up stalking the pace outside, bid four wide into the turn, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened. ASEM chased three deep between foes, dropped back off the rail on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed response. MIS VIOLA had speed inside to duel for the lead, dropped back along the rail on the turn and gave way. MAMA'S KID turned her head, hesitated and was away slowly, pulled between horses on the backstretch, chased outside on the turn and three wide into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

CASINO RED (IRE) pulled and stalked inside then a bit off the rail, went outside a rival on the second turn, came out off heels nearing midstretch, rallied under urging to gain the lead three wide in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. LUMINOSO three deep into the first turn, stalked outside a rival, bid three wide leaving the second turn and into the stretch, battled outside a rival in midstretch and between horses in deep stretch and continued willingly. PURSUING THE DREAM (IRE) sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, fought back along the rail on the second turn and in the stretch and held third. STREETWITHNONAME between horses early, chased outside a rival, swung three wide into the stretch and was edged for the show. MONGOLIAN WINDOW pulled between horses then saved ground stalking the pace, came a bit off the inside in deep stretch for room and was outfinished. MYBLUEBELL (FR) chased three deep then outside a rival, went up four wide leaving the second turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. TRUST FUND KITTY pulled between horses early, chased a bit off the rail then inside on the second turn and into the stretch and did not rally. HOPE WINS saved ground off the pace, came out into the stretch and again nearing midstretch and could not summon the necessary response four wide on the line. MEDAGLIA GOLD stalked three deep then outside a rival, bid between horses on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong.