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Some of the most significant thoroughbred racing tournaments have been those that are approaching a century of their running and are a proven test of the champions. Handicap races have always been a level above when it comes to the qualifying criteria. Horses have been handicapped with imposts as big as 140lbs to match the racing capabilities of the remaining field making the tournament a lot more difficult to conquer. Handicap races were never a cakewalk and Whitney completely lives up to the reputation. Held almost mid-year annually, Whitney Handicap or the Whitney Stakes, as it is also referred to as, is a flat racing tournament held at the Saratoga racetrack. The distance of 1 1/8 miles or 9 furlongs was inaugurated in 1928. The first ever Whitney Handicap winner happened to be a five year old female racehorse Black Maria, who won it against a field full of male counterparts. She later went on to win the American Champion Older Female Horse. It was until 1940 that the Whitney Handicap stayed conservatives to geldings. Other than a few rare instances in its period of more than eight decades when Whitney needed to be run on the Belmont surface, it’s been consistently run and enjoyed on the Saratoga and is one of the most prestigious handicap races held in the American continent. Other than that, Whitney Stakes also is a ticket to the Breeder’s Cup since its inclusion in 2007 to the category of prep races for the big winter fall event through its “Win and You’re In” qualification programme. The Whitney Stakes is named after a famous and extremely renowned family, the Whitney family, who were distinguished in the crème de la crème class of socialites, philanthropists and wealthy businessmen along with their keen liking for equestrian games. Owing to their frequent racing interests and numerous horses participating and also winning the three legs of the Triple Crown, the run as individual races, brought about the handicap to be named in honour of their legendary role and contribution to the American thoroughbred racing. The fastest ever on the dirt tracks of Whitney till date has been Lawyer Ron, jockeyed to track record by John Velasquez in 2007, clocking an amazing 1:46.64. The older distance of 1 ¼ miles was clocked to a track record by Bolingbroke in 1943 equalled by Devil Diver in 1944 at 2:02.00. Ironically, the leading number of wins on the new distance has been consistently held for more than four decades now by the memorable racehorse Kelso who was a gelding. Before this, the older distance was won thrice by Discovery, ranked 37th on the top 100 American thoroughbred champions. Not only Whitney Handicap has a legendary ancestral history to it, but also is remembered as the one time when the invincible racehorse, Secretariat was defeated by Onion, this was one of the greatest upsets racing history boasts proudly about. If you want to experience your share of upsets in the comfort of your couch and gaming console, head out to play free racing games online on www.horseracegame.com. Register for membership for free and win free access to more than 5000 thoroughbreds along with your ticket to breed, race, train, and bet and interact with many other players from all corners of the globe. The 3D simulation is just an added icing on the cake. So what are you waiting for, start racing now!
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