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42-475: The first Rhode Island Handicap run at Narragansett Park was on closing day, September 3, 1934. With its purse of $ 10,000 added it drew a solid field. Future National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inductee Discovery set the World Record for 1 3/16 miles in the time of 1:55. Alfred G. Vanderbilt II was lured to run his top horse at 'Gansett when track management bumped the purse to 15k added just days before

84-516: A 25 thousand-dollar purse and run at the same 1 3/16 miles distance, was destined to be 'Gansett's biggest race every year. The first three editions of the RI 'Cap were run at the 1 3/16 miles distance. The 1937 race was cancelled when Narragansett Park was closed because of the “Race Track War” that fall. When the race returned in 1938, it had been shortened to 1 1/8 miles and would run at that distance for its duration. The November 12, 1938, race would see

126-541: A group of people interested in thoroughbred racing. The museum first opened its doors in 1951, at which time it occupied a single room in Saratoga's Canfield Casino . The establishment was supported by the city of Saratoga Springs , which donated $ 2,500, the Saratoga Racing Association, which donated $ 5,000, and various patrons of the sport, who also donated various pieces of art and memorabilia. The first item in

168-562: A major shareholder backing the Technicolor Corporation . The two were also financiers for the 1939 film classic Gone with the Wind . Seventeen years later, C.V. Whitney served as a producer through his own "C.V. Whitney Pictures". His company made three films, the first being the acclaimed 1956 production, The Searchers , directed by John Ford . The second was The Missouri Traveler in 1958 with Brandon deWilde and Lee Marvin , and

210-526: A significant stable of Thoroughbred racehorses. Born in Old Westbury, New York , he was the only son of the wealthy and socially prominent Harry Payne Whitney (1872–1932) and his wife, Gertrude Vanderbilt (1875–1942). He had a younger sister, Barbara Vanderbilt Whitney (1903–1982), and an elder sister, Flora Payne Whitney (1897–1986). As a member of both the Whitney and Vanderbilt families, he inherited

252-422: A single candidate from each of the four Contemporary categories. For example, in 2016, two mares (Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta) were inducted at the same time. The museum also houses a large collection of art, artifacts, and memorabilia that document the history of horse racing from the eighteenth century to the present. The National Museum of Racing was founded in 1950, led by Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney and

294-598: A substantial fortune. He also proved to be a very capable businessman in his own right. After graduating from Yale University in 1922, he went to work at a Nevada mine owned by his father. Whitney's paternal grandfather, William Collins Whitney , was a co-founder and director of the Guaranty Trust Company of New York , and in 1926, Whitney was appointed a director, serving on the bank's board until 1940. In 1927, Whitney joined with William Avery Rockefeller III and other investors to back Juan Trippe in establishing

336-500: A visit from another Hall of Fame member. War Admiral had been fairly defeated by Seabiscuit in their famous match race at Pimlico Race Course just 11 days earlier. Owner Samuel D. Riddle chose the Rhode Island Handicap for the star's next race. War Admiral did not disappoint the huge crowd of 40,000 that showed up that day. He held a 2 1/2 lengths advantage under the wire while being eased by jockey Charley Kurtsinger . It

378-698: The Adirondacks along with a great camp called Deerlands . Located within the Oswegatchie Great Forest, the Whitney estate is home to more than 40 lakes and ponds, as well as the headwaters of the Beaver, Raquette and Bog rivers. In 1997, New York State bought 14,700 acres (59 km ) of the 51,000-acre (210 km ) Whitney tract from Marylou Whitney's "Whitney Industries" for $ 17.1 million. Whitney habitually married: On March 5, 1923, Whitney married for

420-691: The Belmont Stakes . In the 1951 Kentucky Derby, Whitney's Veitch-trained colt Counterpoint was still developing after an injury as a yearling that almost ended its career and tired badly, finishing 11th. However, Counterpoint came back to take second place in the Preakness Stakes and subsequently gave Whitney his second win in the Belmont Stakes and then went on to earn 1951 Horse of the Year honors. Among other successful horses from his stables, Career Boy won

462-543: The Kentucky Derby , Whitney never won the prestigious race. Silver Spoon was the only filly entered in the Derby between the years 1945 and 1980, coming in a credible fifth in 1959. Ridden by jockey Eddie Arcaro and trained by Sylvester Veitch , Whitney's horse Phalanx won the first division of the 1947 Wood Memorial Stakes , finished second in the 1947 Kentucky Derby, took third in the ensuing Preakness Stakes , then won

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504-449: The Saratoga race meeting. The Hall of Fame's nominating committee selects eight to ten candidates from among the four Contemporary categories (colts and horses, fillies and mares, jockey and trainer) to be presented to the voters. Changes in voting procedures that commenced with the 2010 candidates allow the voters to choose multiple candidates from a single Contemporary category, instead of

546-873: The United Nations Handicap and was voted the Champion Grass Horse for 1956. First Flight was one of his best fillies , winning the Matron Stakes and beating males in Belmont's Futurity Stakes in 1946. In 1972 the Keeneland Association honored Whitney with its Mark of Distinction for his contribution to Keeneland and the Thoroughbred industry. Whitney became involved in the motion picture industry, notably with his cousin John Hay Whitney as

588-647: The United States Army , serving as an aviation cadet in the Signal Corps , rising to the rank of second lieutenant and becoming a military pilot. During the war, Whitney served as a flight instructor in Texas. In 1932 Whitney unsuccessfully ran for Congress against fellow wealthy Long Islander Robert L. Bacon . With the onset of American involvement in World War II , Whitney volunteered again for service, rising to

630-572: The 1920s, Whitney successfully fended off several million-dollar lawsuits filed by former Ziegfeld Follies dancer Evan-Burrows Fontaine charging him with breach of promise and paternity of her son. Whitney died in 1992 in Saratoga Springs, New York , at the age of 93 and is buried there in the Greenridge Cemetery . In 1994, a portion of New York State Route 50 in the City of Saratoga Springs

672-567: The 1938 founding of the world's first oceanarium. Marineland , near St. Augustine, Florida , included a small research laboratory that drew academic biologists . Eventually, Whitney provided the University of Florida with an adjacent parcel of land plus half of the construction capital required to build a full-scale academic center, the C.V. Whitney Laboratory for Experimental Marine Biology and Medicine (now called The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience ). In addition, he donated Whitney Hall to

714-624: The 20 year requirement may be waived, though there is usually a five-year waiting period after retirement in such cases. Source: National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Legend: * Still active (+ Win totals from Equibase.com as of 30 September 2018 ) ** Wins in North America only Contemporary trainers become eligible for the Hall of Fame after they have been licensed for at least 25 years, and remain eligible until 25 years after retirement. In special circumstances such as fragile health,

756-631: The 25 year requirement may be waived though there is usually a five-year waiting period after retirement in such cases. Established in 2013, the Hall of Fame states that the Pillars of the Turf category honors those "who have made extraordinary contributions to Thoroughbred racing in a leadership or pioneering capacity at the highest national level." In addition to the Hall of Fame, the museum houses numerous exhibits. These include: The Museum Collection includes just over 300 paintings. These range from paintings of

798-620: The Aviation Corporation of America, which a year later would become Pan American World Airways . In 1931, Whitney founded the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co., Limited in Canada. The company became a major zinc mining operation, and Whitney served as chairman of the board until 1964. His father, Harry Payne Whitney , had been an avid polo player and thoroughbred racehorse owner, and C.V. Whitney followed in his footsteps, winning

840-519: The Keene Memorial Stakes at Belmont Park . Equipoise would go on to become a success on the racetrack and as a leading sire, and would be inducted into racing's Hall of Fame in 1957. Among Whitney's other outstanding horses, Top Flight was the 1931 American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly and the 1932 American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly , and was also voted into the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame, in 1966. Although he had fifteen horses compete in

882-463: The Triple Crown trophies of Count Fleet. 43°04′35″N 73°46′24″W  /  43.0763°N 73.7734°W  / 43.0763; -73.7734 Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Cornelius "Sonny" Vanderbilt Whitney (February 20, 1899 – December 13, 1992) was an American businessman, film producer, government official, writer and philanthropist. He was also a polo player and the owner of

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924-667: The U.S. Open polo title three times. Since 1979, the Greenwich Polo Club at Conyers Farm in Greenwich, Connecticut , has awarded the C.V. Whitney Cup to the winner of an annual polo tournament. He was the third generation of Whitneys to be heavily involved in thoroughbred horse racing . The Grade 1 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga Race Course was inaugurated in his family's honor in 1928. C.V. Whitney acquired his father's stable in 1930 and on May 17, his two-year-old colt Equipoise gave him his first stakes race victory when he won

966-646: The United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Spain and Italy in 1950. One of Whitney's homes was the "Cady Hill" estate at Saratoga Springs, New York , not far from the Saratoga Race Course . It was there in 1950 that he founded the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and served as its first president. A former director of Churchill Downs , he was given an Eclipse Special Award in 1984 in recognition of his lifetime contribution to thoroughbred horse racing in

1008-604: The United States. The C.V. Whitney Farm in Lexington, Kentucky , bred more than 175 stakes winners until age forced him to sell off a large part of the property in the 1980s to Gainesway Farm . After his death in 1992, his widow, Marylou Whitney , continued breeding and racing operations on a smaller scale. A much respected figure in racing, her "Marylou Whitney Stables" owned Birdstone , the 2004 Belmont Stakes winner. Upon his death, Whitney owned over 51,000 acres (210 km ) in

1050-624: The attraction and its amenities to a group of St. Augustine businessmen, and Whitney's legacy continues at the Whitney Laboratory nearby. Having spent considerable time in France, Whitney's mother Gertrude became involved supporting the Allied forces during World War I . She dedicated a great deal of her time and money to various relief efforts, establishing and maintaining a hospital in France for wounded soldiers. Eighteen-year-old C.V. Whitney joined

1092-456: The best horses shipping, the best races were eliminated from the racing book. In 1948, the RI Handicap returned with its 10k added purse. War Trophy, bred by Samuel D. Riddle out of his Man o' War mare Racing Colors, became the last winner of the Rhode Island Handicap at Narragansett Park. The Providence Stakes , a race restricted to 3 year olds, was chosen to see an increased purse and gained

1134-599: The contemporary category between five and 25 calendar years following their final racing year. Thoroughbreds retired for more than 25 calendar years may become eligible through the Historic Review Committee. [REDACTED] ( steeplechaser ) [REDACTED] Source: National Museum of Racing and Hall Contemporary jockeys become eligible for the Hall of Fame after they have been licensed for at least 20 years, and remain eligible until 25 years after retirement. In special circumstances such as fragile health,

1176-495: The display of its extensive art collection and more multimedia displays on the history of the sport. In the early years, inductions to the hall of fame were based on the evaluation of a panel of racing historians. In 1955, a group of nine horses from the earliest years of the American turf were inducted. The 1956 class included 11 horses that raced around the turn of the century, while the 1957 class included 10 horses that raced up to

1218-556: The early days of racing in England by John E. Ferneley Sr . to more contemporary champions by Richard Stone Reeves . Featured artists include: William Smithson Broadhead, Vaughn Flannery, Sir Alfred J. Munnings , Frederic Remington , Martin Stainforth , George Stubbs , Henry Stull, Edward Troye and Franklin Brooke Voss . Also on display are Kelso's five Jockey Club Gold Cup trophies and

1260-558: The event. Discovery's time would stand as the track record until 1946. The attendance figure of 53,922 that crammed the track that Labor Day is still a record for any sporting event held in Rhode Island. However, the popularity of the racing action in that first summer of 1934 led to the creation of the Narragansett Special which was placed the end of a second fall meeting. The Special was scheduled for 10/31 1934. This race, with

1302-612: The first time to Marie Norton (1903–1970), daughter of Sheridan Nook Norton, an attorney, and Beulah Sanfield Einstein, in Paris. They divorced in 1929. Marie later married New York Governor and diplomat Averell Harriman , and she was First Lady of New York from January 1, 1955, to December 31, 1958. She and Whitney had two children together: C.V. Whitney's second marriage was to Gwladys Crosby "Gee" Hopkins, from 1931 to 1940. They had one daughter: In 1941, in Plymouth, Ohio , he married for

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1344-626: The gift of a 1634 Anthony van Dyck painting of Henri II de Lorraine, 5e Duc de Guise , which had been in the Whitney family for three generations, to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. In 1953, Whitney donated the 1872 Thomas Eakins painting The Biglin Brothers Racing to the National Gallery of Art. Whitney's interest in the natural history of marine animals resulted in

1386-457: The mid-thirties. Since then, the classes have been significantly smaller as the inductions shifted to more contemporary horses. Under current rules, a horse must have been retired for a minimum of five full calendar years to be eligible for the hall of fame. (Exceptions to this rule have been made; for example, Secretariat was inducted the year after his retirement and Ruffian was inducted the year after her death.) Thoroughbreds remain eligible in

1428-400: The museum's collection was a horseshoe worn by the great Lexington . In 1955, the museum relocated to its current location on Union Avenue, across the street from the main entrance of the historic Saratoga Race Course . The museum was relocated to a newly reconstructed building and a thoroughbred racing Hall of Fame was included. Since then, the museum has expanded several times to allow for

1470-503: The position of 2nd biggest race at 'Gansett. A 1951 edition of the Rhode Island Handicap was scheduled for the years' final day, but was cancelled when only three horses entered. Lincoln Downs – a nearby 13/16th mile track that opened on July 7, 1947 – ran a 7.5 furlong race named the Rhode Island Handicap in 1959. It was won by Rose's Gem with, the popular local legend, Charlie Boy second. National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

1512-596: The rank of colonel with the United States Army Air Forces . He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit . At the end of the war, Whitney served under U.S. President Harry S. Truman as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force from 1947 to 1949, and United States Under Secretary of Commerce from 1949 to 1950. He was also appointed President Truman's special envoy to

1554-451: The third time to Eleanor Searle (c. 1908–2002), daughter of Dr. and Mrs. George James Searle. Before their divorce in 1957, they had one son: On January 25, 1958, he married for the fourth, and final, time to Marie Louise Schroeder (1925–2019), universally known as "Marylou". She was an actress in a movie he produced, called The Missouri Traveler . They remained married until his death. Together, they had one daughter: Over

1596-464: The third was The Young Land in 1959 with Patrick Wayne and Dennis Hopper . Whitney was a major financial partner in the development of Marine Studios , designed as an underwater motion picture studio located on the ocean south of St. Augustine, Florida . The Studios opened on June 23, 1938, with an estimated 30,000 visitors and eventually evolved into a major marine attraction. It was billed as "the world's original marine attraction". Whitney sold

1638-740: Was a supporter of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, and was a founder of the Whitney Gallery of Western Art in Cody, Wyoming . The "Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Hall of Fame" collection was provided in 1987 to the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, New York. It is the only museum in the world dedicated to professional dance. Whitney donated important artworks to various museums. Notable donations include

1680-533: Was designated "C.V. Whitney Memorial Highway." Whitney was raised in an artistic environment. His mother, Gertrude, was an accomplished sculptor who studied in Paris under Auguste Rodin . She was also the founder of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City. As an adult, C.V. Whitney played a role in establishing the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York ,

1722-498: Was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York , to honor the achievements of American Thoroughbred race horses , jockeys , and trainers . In 1955, the museum moved to its current location on Union Avenue near Saratoga Race Course , at which time inductions into the hall of fame began. Each spring, following the tabulation of the final votes, the announcement of new inductees is made, usually during Kentucky Derby Week in early May. The actual inductions are held in mid-August during

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1764-564: Was his last stakes victory. The race continued to be a top handicap event on the New England racing circuit until 1947. That year the entire Autumn stakes program was eliminated. Even the Narragansett Special was not run in 1947. An outbreak of "Swamp Fever" — or Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) in the summer had caused the death of 77 horses at Rockingham Park . This greatly restricted the inter-state shipping of horses that Fall. Without

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