From the private collection of Dale Wyatt. Used by permission.
While But Why Not's overall record did not suggest a great horse, her 3-year-old season was exceptional. Not only did she dominate her own division, but two victories in important races over older females earned her a championship in the handicap division (then open to 3-year-olds and up) as well. After making a successful comeback at age 5, she enjoyed some success in a brief career as a broodmare.
Race record
46 starts, 12 wins, 7 seconds, 5 thirds, US$295,155
1947:
1949:
1950:
Honors
As an individual
Like her champion granddam, Black Helen, But Why Not was on the small side. Nonetheless, she was well-made with a look of marked quality.
As a producer
But Why Not produced only four foals, three of which started and won. Her best runner was How Now (by Beau Max), whose 11 stakes wins on the California circuit included the 1958 American Handicap. Her only daughter, the unraced Bold Venture mare Good Reason, produced four winners but had no producing daughters, ending this branch of Black Helen's family.
Connections
But Why Not was bred by Idle Hour Stock Farm, the breeding and racing operation of Colonel Edward Riley Bradley. She was trained by Bill Hurley. Following Bradley's death in 1946, But Why Not passed to the ownership of the King Ranch. She was trained by Max Hirsch.
Pedigree notes
But Why Not is inbred 3x3 to Colonel Bradley's foundation sire Black Toney. She is a full sister to three-time American champion steeplechaser Oedipus and to the good stakes mare Renew, second dam of 1966 Suburban Handicap winner Buffle and fourth dam of 1984 American champion older female Princess Rooney. But Why Not is also a half sister to Bim's Blossom (by Bimelech), second dam of three stakes winners including 1965 Del Mar Derby winner Hasty Trip.
Be Like Mom, the dam of But Why Not and her siblings, failed to place in two starts. She is a half sister to Hula Hula (by Polynesian), dam of stakes winner Hula Bend (by Never Bend); second dam of 1985 George Ryder Stakes (AUS-I) winner Hula Drum, 1986 Doncaster Handicap (AUS-I) winner Hula Chief and Grade II winner Delicate Ice; and third dam of 1992 American champion older male Pleasant Tap, multiple New Zealand Group I winner Love Dance, 1994 Kentucky Derby (USA-I) winner Go for Gin, 1992 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (NZ-I) winner Hulastrike, Grade II winner Don't Say Halo and Australian Group III winner Morven Warrior. Be Like Mom is also a half sister to Choosy (by My Request), dam of stakes winner Round Pearl (by Round Table) and third dam of 1983 Canadian Horse of the Year Travelling Victor, 1997 Oak Leaf Stakes (USA-I) winner Vivid Angel and Grade III winners Electric Flash and Fine n' Majestic. In addition, Hula Hula is a half sister to Resourceful (by Shut Out), dam of 1964 Seneca Handicap winner The Ibex (by Hill Prince); second dam of 1966 Ladies Handicap winner Destro and Grade II winner Tina's Ten; and third dam of French Group II winner Balompie, Grade III winner Air Display, French Group III winner Chem and Australian Group III winner O'Deputy Finally, Hula Hula is a half sister to In the Purple (by Burgoo King), dam of 1955 Benjamin Franklin Handicap winner Imagem (by Ace Admiral) and third dam of Grade II winner Sissy's Time, and to Broth (by St. Germans), dam of 1952 Benjamin Franklin Handicap winner Open Show (by Amphitheatre).
Black Helen, the dam of Be Like Mom and her siblings, was the American champion 3-year-old filly of 1935. She is a full sister to two-time American champion Bimelech and 1938 Selima Stakes winner Big Hurry and a half sister to 1946 Selima Stakes winner Bee Ann Mac (by Blue Larkspur) and stakes winner Biologist (by Bubbling Over). She is also a half sister to Baby League (by Bubbling Over) and Businesslike (by Blue Larkspur), both major stakes producers and ancestresses of major branches of La Troienne's family. La Troienne is a full sister to Lincolnshire Handicap winner Leonidas and a half sister to 1934 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) winner Adargatis, who was sired by Teddy's son Astérus.
Race record
46 starts, 12 wins, 7 seconds, 5 thirds, US$295,155
1947:
- Won Pimlico Oaks (USA, 8.5FD, Pimlico)
- Won Acorn Stakes (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
- Won Arlington Matron Handicap (USA, 8FD, Arlington Park)
- Won Arlington Classic (USA, 10FD, Arlington Park)
- Won Alabama Stakes (USA, 10FD, Saratoga)
- Won Beldame Stakes (2nd div) (USA, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Dwyer Stakes (USA, 10FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Empire City Stakes (USA, 9.5FD, Empire City)
- 2nd Ladies Handicap (USA, 12FD, Belmont)
1949:
- Won Top Flight Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Belmont)
- Won Firenze Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Jamaica)
- 2nd Comely Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Empire City)
- 2nd Suburban Handicap (USA, 10FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Metropolitan Handicap (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
1950:
- 3rd Santa Margarita Handicap (USA, 9FD, Santa Anita)
Honors
- American champion 3-year-old filly (1947)
- American champion handicap female (1947)
As an individual
Like her champion granddam, Black Helen, But Why Not was on the small side. Nonetheless, she was well-made with a look of marked quality.
As a producer
But Why Not produced only four foals, three of which started and won. Her best runner was How Now (by Beau Max), whose 11 stakes wins on the California circuit included the 1958 American Handicap. Her only daughter, the unraced Bold Venture mare Good Reason, produced four winners but had no producing daughters, ending this branch of Black Helen's family.
Connections
But Why Not was bred by Idle Hour Stock Farm, the breeding and racing operation of Colonel Edward Riley Bradley. She was trained by Bill Hurley. Following Bradley's death in 1946, But Why Not passed to the ownership of the King Ranch. She was trained by Max Hirsch.
Pedigree notes
But Why Not is inbred 3x3 to Colonel Bradley's foundation sire Black Toney. She is a full sister to three-time American champion steeplechaser Oedipus and to the good stakes mare Renew, second dam of 1966 Suburban Handicap winner Buffle and fourth dam of 1984 American champion older female Princess Rooney. But Why Not is also a half sister to Bim's Blossom (by Bimelech), second dam of three stakes winners including 1965 Del Mar Derby winner Hasty Trip.
Be Like Mom, the dam of But Why Not and her siblings, failed to place in two starts. She is a half sister to Hula Hula (by Polynesian), dam of stakes winner Hula Bend (by Never Bend); second dam of 1985 George Ryder Stakes (AUS-I) winner Hula Drum, 1986 Doncaster Handicap (AUS-I) winner Hula Chief and Grade II winner Delicate Ice; and third dam of 1992 American champion older male Pleasant Tap, multiple New Zealand Group I winner Love Dance, 1994 Kentucky Derby (USA-I) winner Go for Gin, 1992 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (NZ-I) winner Hulastrike, Grade II winner Don't Say Halo and Australian Group III winner Morven Warrior. Be Like Mom is also a half sister to Choosy (by My Request), dam of stakes winner Round Pearl (by Round Table) and third dam of 1983 Canadian Horse of the Year Travelling Victor, 1997 Oak Leaf Stakes (USA-I) winner Vivid Angel and Grade III winners Electric Flash and Fine n' Majestic. In addition, Hula Hula is a half sister to Resourceful (by Shut Out), dam of 1964 Seneca Handicap winner The Ibex (by Hill Prince); second dam of 1966 Ladies Handicap winner Destro and Grade II winner Tina's Ten; and third dam of French Group II winner Balompie, Grade III winner Air Display, French Group III winner Chem and Australian Group III winner O'Deputy Finally, Hula Hula is a half sister to In the Purple (by Burgoo King), dam of 1955 Benjamin Franklin Handicap winner Imagem (by Ace Admiral) and third dam of Grade II winner Sissy's Time, and to Broth (by St. Germans), dam of 1952 Benjamin Franklin Handicap winner Open Show (by Amphitheatre).
Black Helen, the dam of Be Like Mom and her siblings, was the American champion 3-year-old filly of 1935. She is a full sister to two-time American champion Bimelech and 1938 Selima Stakes winner Big Hurry and a half sister to 1946 Selima Stakes winner Bee Ann Mac (by Blue Larkspur) and stakes winner Biologist (by Bubbling Over). She is also a half sister to Baby League (by Bubbling Over) and Businesslike (by Blue Larkspur), both major stakes producers and ancestresses of major branches of La Troienne's family. La Troienne is a full sister to Lincolnshire Handicap winner Leonidas and a half sister to 1934 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) winner Adargatis, who was sired by Teddy's son Astérus.