A Kansas City native who became a prominent socialite, doyenne of precincts as varied as Palm Beach, Lexington, Saratoga and Juneau, Marylou Whitney is the widow of C.V. Whitney, a member of what was one of racing’s most prominent families. The 83-year-old philanthropist is currently married to John Hendrickson, a 44-year-old Alaskan who served in Gov. Walter Hickel’s administration.
She spent two years as “Private Smiles,” a Kansas City radio DJ during World War II. Mr. Whitney raced a horse by that name who won the Jersey Derby in 1973.
The Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney sire line – including C.V.’s father, Harry Payne Whitney, and grandfather, Williams Collins Whitney – owned and bred many of racing’s superstars of the past; Broomstick, Whisk Broom II, Regret, Upset, Equipoise, Top Flight and Counterpoint, just to name a few to carry the Eton blue and brown silks.
Marylou bred and raced such good ones as champion filly Bird Town and Birdstone, who stopped Kentucky Derby-Preakness winner…Smarty Jones’ Triple Crown bid with a Belmont Stakes upset. He went on to win the Travers, as well.
Her philanthropy extends from cancer research to the performing arts to thoroughbred racing.
