But Why Not
Encyclopedia
But Why Not was an American Thoroughbred
filly
racehorse
. The daughter of Blue Larkspur
and granddaughter of Black Servant will be remembered best for wins in the Alabama Stakes
, the Acorn Stakes
, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
at Pimlico Race Course
. In 1947, she was voted by the country's top sports writers as the American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly.
in New York where she placed second to Phalanx at 9.5 furlongs. She rested for six weeks and the jumped right into the $25,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
(then called the Pimlico Oaks) on May 16, 1947. The race was held at Pimlico Race Course
in Baltimore, Maryland and was run over a distance of one mile and a sixteenth on a fast dirt track. In that race But Why Not took on a field of nine of the country's best three year-old fillies. At the wire But Why Not beat stakes winners Cosmic Missile and Oberod to win in a final time of 1:46.40 under jockey Warren Mehrtens
.
Later that year But Why Not reeled off five victories in seven stakes races. In the beginning of June she won the Acorn Stakes
at Belmont Park
. Then she shipped to Chicago, Illinois in late June and won the Arlington Classic
at a mile in open company on the turf. She added another win that year at Arlington Park
by winning the Arlington Matron Handicap
at a mile on the dirt. In August But Why Not traveled to upstate New York and ran in the prestigious Alabama Stakes
at Saratoga Race Course
. In that race she matched her key rival for the Championship that year and beat Miss Grillo going away in 2:05 flat over a mile and a quarter on the dirt. In 1947 she also had two impressive stakes placing by taking second in the Dwyer Stakes
against the males losing again to Phalanx and a strong second in the Ladies Handicap
to Snow Goose at Belmont Park
she raced against fillies and placed second behind Lithe in the Comely Stakes
. Then her owners at King Ranch
decided that she would take on the boys on Memorial Day weekend in the Metropolitan Handicap
at Belmont Park
better known as the "Met Mile" and finished third to Loser Weeper and Vulcan's Forge
. But Why Not continued her battle against the males on the Belmont Stakes undercard in the one and a quarter mile Suburban Handicap
and finished second to Vulcan's Forge
. In late August she went back to racing against her own gender and won two very impressive races including the Firenze Handicap (now called the Personal Ensign Handicap
) at a mile and one sixteenth at Saratoga Race Course
and she won beating Allies Pal and Conniver
in 1:44-4/5. Then in November she came back to race at one mile in the Top Flight Handicap
at Belmont Park
where she won going away under jockey Dave Gorman
in 1:43.60. Due to an injury But Why Not took off from track and did not race again for over 14 months.
and ran third to Champion Two Lea
and Gaffery. Then she won the inaugural running of Washington Birthday Handicap at Santa Anita Park
(which is now called the San Luis Obispo Handicap
over Bolero with jockey William Boland
in the irons. That was the last race of her career and then she retired.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
filly
Filly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
. The daughter of Blue Larkspur
Blue Larkspur
Blue Larkspur was a bay Kentucky-bred thoroughbred race horse. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1957, awarded the 1929 Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year, and ranks Number 100 in Blood-Horse magazine's top 100 U.S. thoroughbred champions of the 20th Century...
and granddaughter of Black Servant will be remembered best for wins in the Alabama Stakes
Alabama Stakes
The Alabama Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race open to three-year-old fillies. Inaugurated in 1872, the Grade I race is run over a distance of one and one-quarter miles on the dirt track at Saratoga Race Course. Held in mid August, it currently offers a purse of $500,000...
, the Acorn Stakes
Acorn Stakes
The Acorn Stakes is an American Grade I race at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies. It is raced on dirt over a distance of one mile with a current purse of $250,000. It is the first leg of the US Triple Tiara and is followed by the Coaching Club American Oaks...
, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $250,000...
at Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
. In 1947, she was voted by the country's top sports writers as the American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly.
Three year-old season
But Why Not was a late bloomer and did even make it to the track as a two year-old. In 1947 But Why Not ran eleven times over ten months and won most of them. After breaking her maiden and winning an allowance race But Why Not ran in the Empire City Stakes in early April at the old Jamaica RacetrackJamaica Racetrack
Jamaica Race Course was an American thoroughbred horse racing facility operated by the Metropolitan Jockey Club in Jamaica, New York. The track opened on April 27, 1903, a day which featured the inaugural running of the Excelsior Handicap. Eugene D. Wood, one of the founders and largest...
in New York where she placed second to Phalanx at 9.5 furlongs. She rested for six weeks and the jumped right into the $25,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $250,000...
(then called the Pimlico Oaks) on May 16, 1947. The race was held at Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
in Baltimore, Maryland and was run over a distance of one mile and a sixteenth on a fast dirt track. In that race But Why Not took on a field of nine of the country's best three year-old fillies. At the wire But Why Not beat stakes winners Cosmic Missile and Oberod to win in a final time of 1:46.40 under jockey Warren Mehrtens
Warren Mehrtens
Warren Mehrtens was an American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey best known for winning the U.S. Triple Crown in 1946....
.
Later that year But Why Not reeled off five victories in seven stakes races. In the beginning of June she won the Acorn Stakes
Acorn Stakes
The Acorn Stakes is an American Grade I race at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies. It is raced on dirt over a distance of one mile with a current purse of $250,000. It is the first leg of the US Triple Tiara and is followed by the Coaching Club American Oaks...
at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
. Then she shipped to Chicago, Illinois in late June and won the Arlington Classic
Arlington Classic
The Arlington Classic Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for 3-year-old horses held annually at the end of June at Arlington Park race track near Chicago, Illinois...
at a mile in open company on the turf. She added another win that year at Arlington Park
Arlington Park
Arlington Park is a horse race track in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Horse racing in the Chicago region has been a popular sport since the early days of the city in the 1830s, and at one time Chicago had more horse racing tracks than any other major metropolitan area...
by winning the Arlington Matron Handicap
Arlington Matron Handicap
The Arlington Matron Handicap is an American Grade III flat horse race for Thoroughbred fillies and mares, aged three years and upward. Raced over a distance of 9 furlongs on the dirt at Arlington Park, Arlington Heights, Illinois every spring, it offers a purse of $150,000.Inaugurated in 1930,...
at a mile on the dirt. In August But Why Not traveled to upstate New York and ran in the prestigious Alabama Stakes
Alabama Stakes
The Alabama Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race open to three-year-old fillies. Inaugurated in 1872, the Grade I race is run over a distance of one and one-quarter miles on the dirt track at Saratoga Race Course. Held in mid August, it currently offers a purse of $500,000...
at Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
. In that race she matched her key rival for the Championship that year and beat Miss Grillo going away in 2:05 flat over a mile and a quarter on the dirt. In 1947 she also had two impressive stakes placing by taking second in the Dwyer Stakes
Dwyer Stakes
The Dwyer Stakes is an American Grade II stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred racehorses held annually at Belmont Park racetrack in Elmont, Long Island, New York. Run in early July, it is open to three-year-old horses and is raced over a distance of 1 1/16-miles on dirt...
against the males losing again to Phalanx and a strong second in the Ladies Handicap
Ladies Handicap
The Ladies Handicap is a historic American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies three years of age and older that is held annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. Inaugurated at the Jerome Park Racetrack in 1868, it is the oldest stakes race in the U.S. exclusively for fillies and mares...
to Snow Goose at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
Four and five year-old seasons
But Why Not attempted to make a big name for herself in 1949 by running in races that fillies seldom race in. Early in the year at Jamaica RacetrackJamaica Racetrack
Jamaica Race Course was an American thoroughbred horse racing facility operated by the Metropolitan Jockey Club in Jamaica, New York. The track opened on April 27, 1903, a day which featured the inaugural running of the Excelsior Handicap. Eugene D. Wood, one of the founders and largest...
she raced against fillies and placed second behind Lithe in the Comely Stakes
Comely Stakes
The Comely Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. Run in mid-April, since 1960 it has been open to three year old fillies who are willing to race one mile on the dirt track. The race is a Grade III event with a purse of $150,000 and...
. Then her owners at King Ranch
King Ranch
King Ranch, located in south Texas between Corpus Christi and Brownsville, is one of the world's largest ranches. The ranch, founded in 1853 by Captain Richard King and Gideon K. Lewis, includes portions of six Texas counties, including most of Kleberg County and much of Kenedy County, with...
decided that she would take on the boys on Memorial Day weekend in the Metropolitan Handicap
Metropolitan Handicap
The Metropolitan Handicap, frequently called the "Met Mile," is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the last week of May at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Open to horses age three and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of one mile .The Met Mile was first...
at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
better known as the "Met Mile" and finished third to Loser Weeper and Vulcan's Forge
Vulcan's Forge (horse)
Vulcan's Forge was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1947 Champagne Stakes as a two-year-old, the 1948 Withers Stakes, and in 1949 the prestigious Santa Anita and Suburban Handicaps....
. But Why Not continued her battle against the males on the Belmont Stakes undercard in the one and a quarter mile Suburban Handicap
Suburban Handicap
The Suburban Handicap is an American Grade II Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Open to horses age three and older, it is run at the classic one-and-one-quarter mile distance on dirt for a $400,000 purse....
and finished second to Vulcan's Forge
Vulcan's Forge (horse)
Vulcan's Forge was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1947 Champagne Stakes as a two-year-old, the 1948 Withers Stakes, and in 1949 the prestigious Santa Anita and Suburban Handicaps....
. In late August she went back to racing against her own gender and won two very impressive races including the Firenze Handicap (now called the Personal Ensign Handicap
Personal Ensign Handicap
The Personal Ensign Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the third week of August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Open to fillies and Mares age three and older, it is contested at a distance of one and one-quarter miles on dirt .Since...
) at a mile and one sixteenth at Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
and she won beating Allies Pal and Conniver
Conniver
Conniver was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was voted the 1948 American Champion Older Female Horse. Bred by Alfred G. Vanderbilt II, she was purchase as a yearling by New York City businessman and sculptor, Harry La Montagne....
in 1:44-4/5. Then in November she came back to race at one mile in the Top Flight Handicap
Top Flight Handicap
The Top Flight Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. The Grade II event is run in late November and is open to fillies and mares, age three and older...
at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
where she won going away under jockey Dave Gorman
Dave Gorman
David James Gorman is an English author, stand-up comedian and presenter. He has performed comedy shows on stage in which he tells stories of extreme adventures and presents the evidence to the audience in order to prove to them that they are true stories...
in 1:43.60. Due to an injury But Why Not took off from track and did not race again for over 14 months.
Six year-old season
But Why Not attempted a comeback after her injury at age six. She raced in early March 1950 in the Santa Margarita Handicap at Santa Anita ParkSanta Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
and ran third to Champion Two Lea
Two Lea
Two Lea was an American Thoroughbred Champion racehorse. Born at Calumet Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, her sire was Bull Lea whose progeny were already successful. Her dam was Two Bob, winner of the 1936 Kentucky Oaks....
and Gaffery. Then she won the inaugural running of Washington Birthday Handicap at Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
(which is now called the San Luis Obispo Handicap
San Luis Obispo Handicap
The San Luis Obispo Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The race is open to horses age four and up, willing to race one and one-half miles on the turf...
over Bolero with jockey William Boland
William Boland
William N. "Bill" Boland is a retired American Hall of Fame jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing....
in the irons. That was the last race of her career and then she retired.