Derby 1941: Whirlaway Won His Way
Unmanageable Colt Got Wright, Jones, Arcaro for Triple Crown Win
Jul 24, 2007
Thoroughbreds are reputed to be high strung animals, prone to fits of unmanageableness. The 1941 Triple Crown champion, Whirlaway, was a horse everyone recognized as high strung to the 10th degree. He was called everything from psychotic to dumb by those who were close to him, reporters, jockeys, and trainers alike.
Eddie Arcaro and the Jones Boys
Eddie Arcaro learned to ride him by freezing a long hold on the colt and by applying that strength with patience, as advised by Whirly's trainers, Ben A. and son, Jimmy, Jones.
The Joneses took on Whirlaway's training despite the colt's frantic habits because Mr. Long Tail was well worth the time and money spent. Whirlaway had inexhaustive talent.
Blenheim II Connection
His sire, Blenheim II, was of English lineage, often producing erratic offspring the English apparently didn't want to trifle with. Blenheim II was sold at the height of his productiveness. He produced the 1936 Epsom Derby winner Mahmoud, the 1937 Italian champion three-year-old, Donatello II. Dustwhirl, Whirlaway's unraced dam, foaled Reaping Reward by Sweep, a Belmont Stakes champion and twice a leading broodmare sire, and maternal grandfather of 1937 Triple Crown titleist War Admiral.
The 1926 Kentucky Derby winner, Bubbling Over, whose later line produced 1982 Horse of the Year Conquistador Cielo from the champion handicap mare Honeymoon, also get the French Classic victor Ta Rib. The pedigree was a winning one. The will to win was present. The flaw was the errant temperament gene that produced wild mindsets.
Whirlaway inherited a full measure of both characteristics. He had a burst of speed hard to beat, stamina, and a will to dominate. But he was more than a handful to train and to ride.
Whirlaway's owner, Warren Wright, insisted the Joneses make the colt a winner. Whirly's unpredictability made him a fan favorite, an exciting race entry, but a trainer's nightmare. Owner orders prevailed, however.
Still, the head strong Whirlaway learned partially in his own world. As a juvenile he would tear away from the gate and soon shoot toward the outside rail. From there, the Joneses theorized, the colt had a frame of reference to run forward, with no interference from the pack in closer quarters, which seemed to spook him. Left in the middle of the track, he seemed to muddle and mentally drift.
Calumet Farm produced many winners, including two Triple Crown champs in Whirlaway and Citation. The Wrights' trainers made the right moves.
Jockey Wendell Eads, the farm's regular contract rider, wasn't able to apply the right strategy with Whirly in a race. Calument hired Arcaro, who was under contract to Greentree Stable, to take on Whirlaway. Greentree amicably released Arcaro for the ride, as they had no colt of their own for the 1941 Derby.
Arcaro Gets First Triple Crown Ride
Whirlaway's Kentucky Derby, much anticipated, became a going-away win for the colt some called a knucklehead. After catching the front runners, Dispose, Blue Pair and Porter's Cap, Whirly dispatched Staretor and Market Wise, who briefly gave game chase. Whirlaway became a small chestnut blur, winning by eight lengths in record time of 2:01-2/5, breaking Twenty Grand's 1931 time by two fifths.
Whirly's record stood unmatched for the next 21 years. As a champion, Mr. Long Tail was just getting started.
