Ack Ack Stakes
ClassGrade III
Horse raceAck Ack Stakes
LocationChurchill Downs
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Inaugurated1991 (as Ack Ack Handicap)
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
WebsiteChurchill Downs
Distance1 mile (8 furlongs)
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationThree-years-old and older
WeightBase weights with allowances:
4-year-olds and up: 125 lbs.
3-year-olds: 122 lbs.
PurseUS$300,000 (2021)
BonusesWinner receives automatic entrance to the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

The Ack Ack Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three years old and older, over a distance of one mile on the dirt held annually in September at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. The event currently carries a purse of $300,000.

History

The race is named for the great Ack Ack, inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Horse of the Year in 1971, as well as ranking number 44 in the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century. At age 3, he won the 1969 Derby Trial in his lone start at Churchill Downs with a time of 1:34.40, which was a track record at the time.[1]

Since inception in 1991, the Ack Ack has been contested at three different distances:[2]

  • 1 mile : 1991, 2006–2009, 2012
  • 7 1⁄2 furlongs : 1994–2005
  • 1 1⁄16 miles : 2010, 2011 (Breeders' Cup)

The inaugural running of the event was on 27 October 1991 with Seven Spades the longest price runner in the field of 12 at 40-1 holding on to win by a neck in a time of 1:37.62 for the mile on the sloppy track.[3]

The event was not held in 1992 and 1993.[2]

Previously a Listed race, it was upgraded to Grade III status for 1997 by the American Graded Stakes Committee.[4]

Sin 2013 the event has been scheduled in September and in 2016 the conditions of the event were changed from handicap to stakes allowance.[2]

Records

Speed record

  • 1 mile: 1:33.78 – Pants On Fire (2013)
  • 7 1⁄2 furlongs: 1:27.15 – Cappuchino (2003)
  • 1 1⁄16 miles: 1:43.79 - Apart (2010)

Margins

  • 8 3⁄4 lengths – Istan (2007)

Most wins

  • No horse has won this race more than once.

Most wins by a jockey

Most wins by a trainer

Most wins by an owner

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
Ack Ack Stakes
2025Tumbarumba5Tyler GaffalioneBrian A. LynchWathnan Racing1 mile1:35.44$335,000III[5]
2024Three Technique7Rafael BejaranoJason CookEric Grindley, David E. Miller, Howard F. Preuss & John Werner1 mile1:35.32$356,000III[6]
2023Zozos4Florent GerouxBrad H. CoxBarry & Joni Butzow1 mile1:35.32$400,000III[7]
2022Senor Buscador4Francisco ArrietaTodd W. FincherJoe R. Peacock Jr.1 mile1:34.60$300,000III[8]
2021Plainsman6Joel RosarioBrad H. CoxShortleaf Stable1 mile1:33.85$297,250III[9]
2020Mr. Money4Gabriel SaezW. Bret CalhounAllied Racing Stable & Spendthrift Farm1 mile1:34.85$100,000III[10]
2019Mr Freeze4Robby AlbaradoDale L. RomansJim Bakke & Gerald Isbister1 mile1:34.11$150,000III[11]
2018Seeking the Soul5Brian Hernandez Jr.Dallas StewartCharles E. Fipke1 mile1:35.01$100,000III[12]
2017Awesome Slew4Corey J. LanerieMark E. CasseLive Oak Plantation1 mile1:35.02$100,000III[13]
2016Tom's Ready3Brian Hernandez Jr.Dallas StewartG M B Racing1 mile1:34.86$100,000III[14]
Ack Ack Handicap
2015Tapiture4Ricardo Santana Jr.Steven M. AsmussenWinchell Thoroughbreds1 mile1:35.39$100,000III[15]
2014Bradester4Corey J. LanerieEddie KenneallyJoseph W. Sutton1 mile1:34.54$107,300III[16]
2013Pants On Fire5Paco LopezKelly J. BreenLori & George Hall1 mile1:33.78$110,700III[17]
2012Neck 'n Neck3Brian Hernandez Jr.Ian R. WilkesA. Stevens Miles Jr.1 mile1:36.38$110,400III[18]
2011Mister Marti Gras3Julien R. LeparouxChris M. BlockLothenbach Stables1 1⁄16 miles1:45.68$109,700III[19]
2010Apart3Garrett K. GomezAlbert Stall Jr.Adele B. Dilschneider1 1⁄16 miles1:43.79$108,600III[20]
2009Demarcation5Jesus Lopez CastanonPaul J. McGeeAmerman Racing1 mile1:36.15$111,000III[21]
2008Magna Graduate6Shaun BridgmohanSteven M. AsmussenElizabeth H. Alexander1 mile1:36:06$108,200III[22]
2007Istan5Kent J. DesormeauxWilliam I. MottDarpat S.L. Stables1 mile1:34.08$221,600III[23]
2006It's No Joke4Robby AlbaradoRebecca MakerStanley E. Fulton1 mile1:34.77$232,800III[24]
2005Straight Line3Shaun BridgmohanHarvey L. VanierNancy A. Vanier & Cartwright Thoroughbreds7 1⁄2 furlongs1:28.34$112,200III[25]
2004Sir Cherokee4Calvin H. BorelMichael A. TomlinsonDomino Stud7 1⁄2 furlongs1:29.48$165,300III[26]
2003Cappuchino4Jon CourtJerry HollendorferHoward Litt, George Todaro, Jerry Hollendorfer7 1⁄2 furlongs1:27.15$165,450III[27]
2002Twilight Road5Pat DayPaul J. McGeeDonamire Farm7 1⁄2 furlongs1:29.39$112,700III[28]
2001Illusioned3Pat DayWilliam I. MottKinsman Stable, Team Valor & Heiligbrodt Stable7 1⁄2 furlongs1:28.63$114,300III[29]
2000Chindi6Timothy T. DoocySteve HobbyCres Ran7 1⁄2 furlongs1:29.30$113,700III[30]
1999Littlebitlively5Calvin H. BorelBobby C. BarnettJohn A. Franks7 1⁄2 furlongs1:28.97$115,600III[31]
1998Distorted Humor5Calvin H. BorelW. Elliott WaldenRussell L. Reineman & Prestonwood Farm7 1⁄2 furlongs1:29.61$110,100III[32]
1997Cat's Career4Willie MartinezLynn S. WhitingGolden Eagle Farm7 1⁄2 furlongs1:32.06$111,500III[33]
1996Western Trader5Calvin H. BorelBobby C. BarnettJohn A. Franks7 1⁄2 furlongs1:29.84$113,400Listed[34]
1995Mystery Storm3Carlos GonzalezLarry Robideaux Jr.David Beard7 1⁄2 furlongs1:29.10$116,400Listed[35]
1994Lost Pan4Donna M. BartonD. Wayne LukasOverbrook Farm, D. Wayne Lukas & Jim McDonald7 1⁄2 furlongs1:30.27$84,300Listed[36]
1992–1993Race not held
1991Seven Spades4Danny W. CoxC. Neil HuffmanDuane Clark1 mile1:37.60$59,250Listed[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ Churchill Downs (2021). "$300,000 Ack Ack (Grade III)". KentuckyDerby.com. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Ack Ack Stakes (Gr. 3)". Equibase. 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  3. ^ "1991 Ack Ack Handicap Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 27 October 1991. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  4. ^ "ACK ACK HANDICAP - CHURCHILL DOWNS, KY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  5. ^ "2025 Ack Ack States Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 27 September 2025. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
  6. ^ "2024 Ack Ack Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  7. ^ "2023 Ack Ack Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  8. ^ "2022 Ack Ack Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  9. ^ "2021 Ack Ack Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  10. ^ "2020 Ack Ack Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 26 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  11. ^ "2019 Ack Ack Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  12. ^ "2018 Ack Ack Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  13. ^ "2017 Ack Ack Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  14. ^ "2016 Ack Ack Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 1 October 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  15. ^ "2015 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  16. ^ "2014 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 4)". Equibase. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  17. ^ "2013 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 7 September 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  18. ^ "2012 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  19. ^ "2011 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 3)". Equibase. 4 November 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  20. ^ "2010 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 4)". Equibase. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  21. ^ "2009 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 6 November 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  22. ^ "2008 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 26 October 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  23. ^ "2007 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 November 2007. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  24. ^ "2006 Emirates Airline Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 2)". Equibase. 4 November 2006. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  25. ^ "2005 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 30 October 2005. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  26. ^ "2004 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 31 October 2004. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  27. ^ "2003 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 26 October 2003. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  28. ^ "2002 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 27 October 2002. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  29. ^ "2001 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 28 October 2001. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  30. ^ "2000 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 29 October 2000. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  31. ^ "1999 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 31 October 1999. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  32. ^ "1998 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 1 November 1998. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  33. ^ "1997 Ack Ack Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 26 October 1997. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  34. ^ "1996 Ack Ack Handicap Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 27 October 1996. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  35. ^ "1995 Ack Ack Handicap Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 29 October 1995. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  36. ^ "1994 Ack Ack Handicap Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 30 October 1994. Retrieved 22 September 2021.