This is an original 1920 winner’s circle photo of Bit of White and Luke Lyke aboard winning the Debutante Stakes over Miss Muffins and Miss Fontaine.
Bit of White was bred in England by John B. Joel and was owned Col. Edward R. Bradley.
She was by Sunstar, the winner of the 1911 Two Thousand Guineas, out of Dreamy by Persimmon, the winner of the 1896 Derby Stakes.
She was a half sister:
to War Cloud: the winner of the 1918 Preakness 1st Division;
to Unwise: the dam of Hamlet, the winner of the 1923 and the 1924 Golden Jubilee Stakes.
Bit of White made 22 starts with 6 wins 6 seconds 5 thirds earning $29,332.
At two in 1920, Bit of White won the Debutante Stakes over Miss Muffins, the winner of the 1920 Hinata Stakes, and Miss Fontaine.
At three in 1921, she won: the Falls City Handicap over Rangoon, the winner of the 1920 Fort Thomas Handicap; and the two mile Louisville Cup over Radio, the winner of the 1922 Latonia Cup.
Bit of White was second: in the Alabama to Prudery, the 1920 Champion Two Year Old Filly and 1921 Champion Three Year Old Filly, and ahead of Chateau Thierry; in the Saranac Handicap to Crocus and ahead of Idle Dell, the winner of the 1921 Delaware Handicap; and in the Latonia Oaks to Flambette, the second dam of Omaha, and ahead of Aphie Dear.
She finished third in the Huron Handicap behind Smoke Screen and Sporting Blood, the winner of the 1921 Travers Stakes and owned by Arnold Rothstein who fixed the 1919 World Series.
At four in 1922, Bit of White was second: in the Ontario Jockey Club Cup Handicap to Parisian Diamond, and ahead of Finery; in the Jockey Club Gold Cup to Champion Mad Hatter and ahead of Pillory, winner of the 1922 Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
She finished third in the Toronto Autumn Cup Handicap behind Exterminator and Guy, the winner of the 1921 Crawford House Handicap.
Bit of White’s owner, Colonel Bradley was not only a noted gambler, he was also heavily involved in charitable endeavors. Every year he would hold a day of races at Idle Hour Stock Farm and donate the proceeds to the orphans of Kentucky. This event started in 1921 when his beloved filly, Bit of White competed in the Louisville Cup. After her overwhelming victory, Bradley stated to the gathered reporters that he would donate the purse money of $10,000 to the orphans.
When Bradley didn't have a contender for the 1922 Cup, he still gave a similar sum to the orphanages and inaugurated a day of racing at his farm to increase donations. A luncheon was provided for the assembled guests and a card of six races was planned. Several top horses, including Derby winner, Clyde Van Dusen, competed in the yearly Orphan Day program.
Her best progeny were:
Bar Hunter: the winner of the 1932 Baltimore Autumn Handicap and later an Army Remount Stallion in Oklahoma.
Broad Meadows: made 188 starts with 38 wins 24 seconds and 34 thirds.
