He won the 1971 Belmont Stakes as the jockey of 34-1 long shot Pass Catcher, which prevented Canonero II from winning the Triple Crown.
During the better part of his 22-year career Blum rode mainly at East Coast tracks from New England to Florida and is one of only four jockeys to ever win six races on a single card at Monmouth Park.
[4] However, in the 1960s, he rode seasonally at California tracks, notably winning the 1966 Santa Anita Derby, and he also dominated Chicago's summer racing circuit at Arlington Park.
[1] At the time of his retirement, only Hall of Famers Bill Shoemaker, Johnny Longden, Eddie Arcaro, and Steve Brooks had ridden more winners.
[1] In the 1971 Belmont Stakes, he rode 34-1 long shot Pass Catcher to a victory that denied Canonero II the Triple Crown.