Whirlaway vs. Alsab - 1942 Match Race

[1948BigCy]

I wonder what would have been the result if his TC jockey, Eddie Arcaro, had been on him. One of Eddie's famous expressions was "Don't never get beat by no noses." Whirly was a one-run horse, and it is pretty clear that he was quickly gaining on Alsab. A few more yards...Whirly's nose would have been in front. But that's horse racing!

[SuperCharlieKitty]

Whirlaway was a better horse than Alsab. I agree, one more stride and Zenyatta would have had him. I still won't watch that race because it makes me want to rip something in half.

[MelC54]

I think about 2 more strides and Whirlaway would have won it. Kind of reminds me of Zenyatta's 20th race....moved about a second too late.

[711ATOM]

An excellent race for both horses. Whirlaway was use to being a dead closer so had trouble pushing the slow place, plus Whirlaway was carrying 126 to Alsab's 119. Whirlaway beat Alsab, again giving up weight to the younger horse, in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, at 2 miles. Alsab went on to beat Whirlaway in the New York Handicap at 2 1/4 miles. Two Kentucky Derby winners going 2 miles and 2 1/4 miles - that when we had real horses.

[littlescratchykitty]

Alsab looks like he is running for his life.

[BackstretchUnderdog]

Yet again, another Triple crown winner fell victim in a match race. Ugh.

[npspec34]

On further review,

love the view on the far turn with the training ready to leave.

Those train tracks are still there and they say the train would leave

a half hour after the last race.

That one is on the Providence spur and looks stoked and ready to go.

Great race at a once great track.

All aboard!!!

[Virginislandsnow]

Awesome horse race!

[sydnayyy1995]

Now that is a horserace. I race horses.

[npspec34]

Whirlaway, never a horse to get the lead early.

He won the Triple Crown 1941 was 8th by 16 in the Derby and won by 8(trck rec).The Preakness was 8th by 9 in a 5L win. 60 races with 32 wins and few leads early.

In NarSpec 7 days before at same distance he was 7th by 17 and won by 2 in 1:56 2/5. However in the Special they went 6 furlongs in 1:11 whereas Alsab (51 starts 25 wins)was allowed to go 1:14 1/5 and had just enough left to run that same 1:56 2/5 for the 1 3/16 miles. That's horse racing.

[BE109]

Yep that is horseracing,in the end you just got to go out and get it done. No excuses either way!

[BE109]

cf1970,you are correct,both Alsab and Whirlaway were of the highest quality. That was a top class 3 Yr.old (Alsab),and a top class 4 yr. old (Whirlaway). Both were champions.

[catface1958]

Was so glad to be able to see this...I am working on a scrapbook of Triple Crown winners and was glad to see the race instead of reading about it on a page. I really enjoy your videos! Keep them coming!

[cf1970]

I very much appreciate your comments and support. I'll keep them coming as long as I enjoy myself on YouTube; comments such as yours certainly help me to keep going!

Take care.

[cgambler864]

wow Frank Wright !!!....i fondly remember those shows on channel 9 at 6pm on Saturdays with Charlsie Cantey....those were the days, before the onslaught of live racing and wagering at one's fingertips...thank you for a stroll down memory lane...since you found something of this sort, any chance you can dig up Met Miles, Suburban and Brooklyn Handicaps of the 1979-1982 period...there were some good ones, i think i asked you about this once before but you never found them i guess...keep it up !

[cf1970]

Hey, you're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. Sorry I haven't had much of a chance to look for the races you've mentioned - life gets in the way, you see - but I will definitely take a look around when I get a chance.

Thank you for the nice comments.

[Cormak]

Thank you so much for posting this! I have a website dedicated to the race track where this match race took place. I will be sure to provide a link to your video.

[cf1970]

You're welcome. That's very kind of you; I appreciate the gesture and your comments.

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[Tuddyboy11]

How's it going CF! Your posts are the best! The interesting thing about this race is that Georgie Wolff (of Seabiscuit fame)was on Whirlaway; I guess he didn't learn much about going to the lead from the match race with War Admiral. He let Alsab set a very slow 50 and change half mile.

[cf1970]

I am doing pretty well, thank you. I hope life is treating you well, too. This match race is very interesting indeed, and you're right, you'd think that Woolfe would have learned his lesson from the '38 match race and pressure Alsab more. 50 & change for a half mile is tough to overcome when behind. That said, Alsab was a very fine, resilient horse, so I'm not sure it would have made any difference.

I appreciate your inquiry, and I thank you for your kind support!

Have a great week!

[horseyaddicted]

Hm.. very nice footage...wonderful!! I think Whiraway was the better of the two,but it is a matter of opinion. Thanks for posting!

[ManOWar1994]

this is so awesome luv it!! i never knew there were so many match races .. and people thought the belmont was exciting!

lol awesome :-)

[ridingxruffian]

Never watched this race before. History often says that Whiraway was the better horse, but history is wrong.

[cf1970]

It's a fine race, isn't it? I honestly don't know if Whirlaway was the better horse or not when all is said and done; both were of very high quality.

It's purely a matter of personal preference and opinion.

Take care.

[gfn02]

Wow; another 70 yards and Whirly would've been able to catch him. Great footage!

[cf1970]

Yes, it sure looked that way. Alsab was also a superb horse; he is a Hall Of Fame member that won the '42 Preakness and many other stakes and handicap races.

Thanks for the comments. Take care.

[gfn02]

Indeed I will!