| Ungraded stakes race | |
|---|---|
| Whirlaway Stakes | |
| Location | Aqueduct Racetrack Queens, New York |
| Inaugurated | 1980 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | NYRA |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1 1/6 miles (8.5 furlongs) |
| Track | Dirt, left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-years-old |
| Purse | $100,000 |
The Whirlaway Stakes is a race for Thoroughbred horses held in February at Aqueduct Racetrack. The Whirlaway Stakes is open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles (8.5 furlongs) on the dirt. It is an ungraded event offering a purse of $100,000 added. The Whirlaway is the second of four two-turn races for 3-year-olds run in New York prior to the Kentucky Derby.[1]
The Whirlaway is named in honor of Whirlaway, the firth Triple Crown of Horse Racing winner in 1942. Called "Mr. Longtail" for obvious reasons, he was a thrilling closer and a huge crowd pleaser. Like Silky Sullivan, many of his races were won by last minute come-from-behind efforts.