The “Sport Of Kings” History Project

03/05/2026

03/05/2026

🏇✨ A Day Like Today in Horse Racing History – August 9, 1999

Legends Immortalized at the Hall of Fame

On August 9, 1999, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York, opened its doors to welcome a remarkable class of inductees—each having left an unforgettable mark on the sport.

Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas

Known as a trailblazer who reshaped modern horse training, Lukas brought an unprecedented level of professionalism and national scope to the game. With multiple Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont victories to his name, and a staggering number of Breeders’ Cup wins, his induction was a fitting tribute to decades of dominance.

Jockey: Russell Baze

Consistency. Longevity. Relentless excellence. Russell Baze built a career on these qualities, amassing thousands of wins—eventually becoming North America’s all-time leading rider by victories. His work ethic and dedication to the craft made him a legend long before his Hall of Fame enshrinement.

Miesque

One of the most accomplished turf mares in history, the French-bred Miesque captured back-to-back Breeders’ Cup Mile victories (1987 & 1988) and earned international acclaim with multiple Group 1 wins in Europe. Her combination of class, speed, and versatility cemented her as a global racing icon.

Exceller

Remembered as the only horse in history to defeat two U.S. Triple Crown winners—Seattle Slew and Affirmed—in the same race, Exceller’s 1978 Jockey Club Gold Cup triumph remains one of racing’s most dramatic upsets. His globe-spanning career saw him win major races in Europe and America.

Gun Bow

A fierce competitor of the 1960s, Gun Bow famously handed the great Kelso one of his rare defeats in the 1964 Woodward Stakes. Known for his grit and front-running style, he was a crowd favorite and a constant presence at the highest level.

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📍 Why It Matters
The 1999 Hall of Fame class wasn’t just about statistics—it was about stories. Each inductee brought something unique: Lukas’s innovation, Baze’s perseverance, Miesque’s elegance, Exceller’s heroics, and Gun Bow’s fighting spirit. Together, they represent the diverse paths to greatness in Thoroughbred racing.

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WinningStride – Every Stride Tells a Story

03/05/2026

03/05/2026

Today We Remember Willie Simms, the only black man to have won all three of the races that compose the Triple Crown of American horse racing: the Kentucky Derby, the Belmont Stakes, and the Preakness Stakes.

In 1895 Simms became the first American jockey to win in England, he won the 1896 Kentucky Derby in its first running and repeated as the derby winner in 1898.

Willie Simms finished his 14 year riding career with 1,125 wins and in 1977 was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

Born January 16, 1870 in Augusta, Georgia—died February 26, 1927, Asbury, New Jersey

Note: Black horse jockeys won 15 of the first 28 runnings of the Kentucky Derby.

03/01/2026

This is a photo with my dad winning the Gardenia at Garden State Park 1970. I was 7 years old. The Purse was $188,360. One of the largest purses in the world at that time. This race would have been as highly as considered as a Breeders' Cup level event, though there was no Breeders'Cup back in those days.

02/26/2026

This is an original 1971 photo of Ack Ack and Bill Shoemaker setting a new course record in winning the American Handicap for his sixth straight victory.

Ack Ack was bred by Captain Harry Guggenheim and campaigned by him under the auspices of his Cain Hoy Stable from two to four years old.

While Guggenheim dispersed his racing and breeding stock in 1969, he retained Ack Ack. Following Guggenheim’s death in 1971, his Executors sold the majority interest in Ack Ack to E.E. “Buddy” Fogelson and his wife actress Greer Garson for $500,000. Trainer Charlie Whittingham purchased the remaining one third interest in the horse.

Ack Ack was by Battle Joined, the winner of the 1962 Lawrence Realization Stakes, out of the unraced Fast Turn by Turn-To, the winner of the 1953 Garden State Stakes.

He was a half brother:

to Buckboard: the winner of the 1978 Westwood Stakes;

to Eagle’s Swoop: finished third in the 1969 Knickerbocker Handicap;

to Fabuleux Cinquante: finished third in the DeWitt Clinton Stakes;

Rain Wind: the dam of Hungerkill, the winner of the 1991 Dragoon Stakes.

Ack Ack made 27 starts with 19 wins 6 seconds 0 thirds earning: $636,641.

At two in 1968, he made three starts at Belmont Park. He won his second start: a maiden special weight by a nose and was second in his other races.

At three in 1969, Ack Ack made eleven starts winning: three Allowances (two at Hialeah and one at Keeneland) by a total of 21 lengths.

He won the following stakes races: the Arlington Classic Stakes over Kings of the Castle, the winner of the 1969 Illinois Derby, and Fast Hilarious, the winner of the 1969 American Derby; the Derby Trial by seven lengths setting a new track record over Indian Emerald, the winner of the 1970 Sun Beau Handicap, and Fleet Allied, the winner of the 1969 Bay District Handicap; the Bahamas Stakes 1st Division over Al Hattab, the winner of the 1969 Monmouth Invitational Handicap, and Curette, the winner of the 1968 Dover Stakes; the Forerunner Purse over Tripsville, the winner of the 1971 Fonner Mile Handicap, and Sheik of Bagdad; and the Withers Stakes, through a disqualification of Gleaming Light who was placed second, and setting a new track record over Gleaming Light, the winner of the 1969 Dwyer Handicap, and Tyrant, the winner of the 1970 Carter Handicap.

Ack Ack was second: in the Jersey Derby Trial to Night Invader and ahead of Ad Majora, the winner of the 1970 Hessian Handicap; and in the Jersey Derby to Al Hattab and ahead of Rooney’s Shield.

He finished fourth in the Everglades Stakes behind Arts and Letters, Top Knight, and Al Hattab.

After his devastating win in the Derby Trial, pundits considered him one of the favorites for the upcoming Kentucky Derby. Guggenheim, instead, sent Ack Ack to New York leaving the Triple Crown races to be divided up between Majestic Prince and Arts and Letters respectively. Guggenheim’s reasoning for skipping the Classic races was simple: he didn’t want Ack Ack to race beyond eight furlongs at that point in his career.

At four in 1970, Ack Ack won: the Autumn Days Handicap over Fleet Surprise, the winner of the 1969 El Dorado Handicap, and Bargain Day, the winner of the 1970 Bing Crosby Handicap; and the Los Angeles Handicap by disqualification of Right or Wrong who was placed second; Right or Wrong, the winner of the 1968 Debonair Stakes, and Baffle, the winner of the 1968 San Francisco Handicap.

In addition, Ack Ack won: a handicap at Hollywood Park by two lengths; and an allowance at Del Mar by five lengths setting a new track record for 5.5 furlongs.

He finished fourth in the Premiere Handicap behind First Mate, Right or Wrong, and Baffle.

At five in 1971, Ack Ack won: the San Carlos Handicap equaling the track record over Jungle Savage and King of Cricket, the winner of the 1971 Malibu Stakes (it was six days after this race that Guggenheim died); the Hollywood Express Handicap carrying 130 over Pitching Wedge and Galea Pass; the Santa Anita Handicap carrying 130 over Cougar II, the 1972 Champion Grass Horse, and The Field; the American Handicap setting a new course record over Divide and Rule, the winner of the 1969 AJC Derby, and Figonero, the winner of the 1969 Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap; the San Antonio Stakes over Good Manners, the winner of the 1968 Haggin Stakes, and Hanalei Bay, the winner of the 1970 Hollywood Derby; the San Pasqual Handicap over Delaware Chief, the winner of the 1971 Vincentive Handicap, and Figonero; and in the Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap carrying 134 which was his career finale over Comtal, the winner of the 1970 Governors Handicap, and Manta, the winner of the 1971 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap.

He was second in the Palos Verdes Handicap to Jungle Savage and ahead of King of Cricket.

Ack Ack was named: the 1971 Horse of the Year; the 1971 Champion Handicap Horse; and the 1971 Champion Sprinter. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

On the Bloodhorse List of 100 Top American Horses Ack Ack came in at number 44.

Ack Ack had the distinction of being named Horse of the Year who campaigned exclusively in California.

At stud he carried on the Domino sire line and some of his best were:
Broad Brush: the 1986 and 1987 Maryland Horse of the Year; the 1986 Maryland Champion Three Year Old C**t; the 1987 Maryland Champion Handicap Horse; and inducted into the Maryland Hall of Fame in 2013. He was the 1994 Leading Sire; third in 1999.

In Neon: the winner of the 1987 Kentucky Cup Distaff Stakes; and the dam: of Sharp Cat, the winner of the 1997 Santa Anita Oaks; of Royal Anthem, the winner of the 1999 Juddmonte International Stakes.

Loss or Gain: the winner of the 1977 Mermaid Stakes; and the dam of Lost Code, the winner of the 1987 Arlington Handicap.

Youth: the 1976 French Champion Three Year Old C**t; and the 1976 Champion Grass Horse.

Away From Home: the dam of Home at Last, the winner of the 1990 Super Derby.

Rascal Rascal: the dam of Benny the Dip, the 1997 English Champion Three Old C**t.

Joanie’s Chief: the winner of the 1979 Champagne Stakes.

Acks Secret: the winner of the 1982 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap.

Ask Me: the winner of the 1982 Bay Meadows Derby.

Flack Attack: the dam of Fast Gold, the winner of the 1982 Pegasus Handicap.

Rascal Lass: the winner of the 1985 Fantasy Stakes.

Caline: the winner of the 1978 Santa Susana Stakes.

Clean Lines: the winner of the 1988 Princess Stakes.

Epidaurus: the winner of the 1988 San Carlos Handicap.

Flying Target: the winner of the 1982 Arlington Handicap.