Their sire was Chicle who was bred and foaled in France by their American owner due to the complete shutdown of horseracing in 1911 and 1912 in the state of New York as a result of the Legislature's passage of the Hart–Agnew Law.
Chicle was the son of Spearmint, winner of the Epsom Derby in England and the Grand Prix de Paris in France, both races the then most prestigious in their country.
Chicle won the 1915 Champagne Stakes in fast time beating a field of six other runners including Friar Rock who in 1916 would be named American Horse of the Year.
[13] but one that would prove costly because the colt came out of the race with an injury that would keep him out of the 1930 Kentucky Derby won by Gallant Fox who he had easily beaten by 6+1⁄2 lengths in the Futurity.
[18] A June 3, 1930 Daily Racing Form story on the upcoming 1930 Belmont Stakes reported on the opinion of various horsemen as to whether it would be Whichone or Gallant Fox that would come out on top.
The consensus was that Whichone would be the victor, the DRF stating it was important to note that for the most part the votes for the Whitney colt came from trainers and jockeys while those supporting Gallant Fox were handicappers and others who closely study horseracing.
Among those jockeys and trainers who chose Whichone were future Hall of Fame inductees Laverne Fator, Mack Garner, Max Hirsch, Willie Knapp, and "Dick" Thompson.
On a track rated only as good, Whichone struggled until they made the turn for home but his challenge was not enough to catch Gallant Fox who won easily by three lengths and becoming the second horse to win the U.S.
With all eyes watching the popular colt for any signs of leg trouble, the Form Chart for the mile and one-quarter race took an unusual step with a statement that said "He pulled up sound.
[25] In what would become the most talked about upset in American Thoroughbred racing folklore, a 100 to 1 longshot named Jim Dandy won the August 16, 1930, Travers Stakes beating runner-up Gallant Fox by six lengths.
From Whichone's first crop in 1932, a colt bred and retained by Sonny Whitney named Today looked very promising after he won the 1935 Wood Memorial Stakes by three lengths.