Ten Things You Should Know: Whitney
1) The Whitney is a race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York and is one of the most prestigious races for older horses in the United States. This year’s edition is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, the winner will qualify for the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November.
2) The Whitney was run for the first time in 1928 as a memorial race for William Payne Whitney, who died in 1927. He was a member of the famed Whitney family that has had a major influence on American racing and breeding since the late 19th century.
3) Greentree Stable, founded by William Payne Whitney in 1914, won six editions of the race as an owner. C.V. Whitney, William Payne’s nephew, won the family’s namesake race four times.
4) From 1943 to 1945, with Saratoga closed due to travel restrictions during the Second World War, the Whitney was held at Belmont Park.
5) The Whitney has been run at 1 1/8 miles since 1955; prior to that it had been run at 1 1/4 miles.
