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Tilt a Whirl was one of the SIM's greatest race horses, a legend.Tilt a Whirl, also known as Tilt, was bred and owned by Marie Matthews, one of the greatest trainers on the old SIM and the third person to ever join the SIM. Marie never knew that Tilt, her 16.2hh bay colt, would be as successful as he would become when she bred his sire Spinning World and his dam Miss Alleged together.
Tilt began his wonderful racing carrier at Sunshine Park in Florida the first week of Year 2 going 4 1/2 furlongs on the dirt for 2 year old maidens. In a field of 6 he came out on top breaking his maiden the first time out. Following up after him was Bet the Cat in 2nd, Marquee de Lys 3rd, and Busy Signal 4th. All went on to be successful.
With a 4 week break he moved to Oceanside Race Track in California for the Grade 1 "Del Mar Futurity" for his first big challenge. In a field of 9 going 7 furlongs again on the dirt, but during the race he came up short with a 2nd place finish behind Be Holy Bull. Tourist Attraction was 3rd.
With only a week since his last race he would be shipped to Long Island Park in New York for the Grade 1 "Hopeful Stakes" going 7 furlongs again on the dirt. He would be tested with a field of 6 and later redeem himself with the win. Coming up behind him would be What a Prospect 2nd, and Tribute to Dehere 3rd.
He would then run 2 weeks later in last race of his 2 year old year at Louisville Downs in Kentucky at the Grade 1 Steward's Cup Juvenile going at his longest distance yet 1 1/16 miles on the dirt. Tilt was one of the favorites going into the race, but lost to a huge longshot Marquee de Lys at 99 - 1. Coming in third would be Be Holy Bull.
He would then ship back to Sunshine Park to start his 3 year old year in the Grade 1 Youthful Stakes where he would try one more time going 1 1/16 miles on the dirt. He would then prove to Marie that 1 1/16 miles was not the distance for him when he once agin came in second, losing by a nose to the super filly Foreigner. Airs Above would come in 3rd.
He would then ship back to Louisville Downs for the Grade 1 Louisville Derby going 1 1/4 miles on the dirt. He was 12-1 when he went into the Derby and won, beating the filly Foreigner and Be Holy Bull.
He would then ship to a track that he has never raced at before, Baltimore Race Course in Maryland for the Grade 1 Baltimore Crown going 1 3/16 miles on the dirt. He won that race and became the first horse to take the Derby and The Baltimore Crown. Following up behind him was the filly Foreigner in 2nd and 3rd was A.P. Alert
He would then go back to Long Island Park for the Grade 1"Long Island Classic going 1 1/2 miles on the dirt and a chance to be the first Triple Crown winner, but he would lose to his biggest rival Foreigner again, with A.P. Alert coming in 3rd.
With only a weeks rest sense the Long Island Classic and would make the last start in his 3 year old year, he would once agin be shipped to Sunshine park for the Grade 1 Steward's Cup Classic going 1 1/4 miles on the dirt. He was co-favored with the year before's Derby winner Battle Cry, but both lost to longshot Storm and Silence, Tilt coming in 2nd.
Tlit A Whirl would become the Champion Three Year Old Colt of the year.
After resting for the winter he would be shipped to Arcadia Park in California for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap going 1 1/4 miles on the dirt. He would win that race beating Neon Thunder and Exploit.
He shipped back to Balitmore for his next race, the Grade 1 Pimlico Special going 1 3/16 miles on the dirt. He would also win that race, out running Bet Me Mom, a Long Island Classic winner, and Be Holy Bull.
Tilt shipped to Oceanside Park for his next race. This time he would run in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic going 1 1/4 miles on the dirt. He would once again win that race running down Tribute To Dehere and Tie Beau.
He would then make his last start at Long Island Park. The Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup going 1 1/4miles on the dirt. He would come out on top and win yet again, beating Wait a Minute and rival Marquee de Lys.
Tilt would be shipped for the last time to Toronto Racecourse in Canada for the Grade 1 Steward's Cup Classic going 1 1 /4miles on the dirt, but he would come in a disappointing third place finish behind Triple Crown winner Priceless Forever and Island Rescue.
Tilt a Whirl had a total of 14 starts with 8 wins, 5 seconds, and 1 third all on the dirt. After his retirement he went to stud and sired 76 foals with total progeny earnings over $20,000,000. He ended up producing much better turf horses than dirt horses because of his pedigree. His best foals were Riddle Me This and Whirl Charmant.