They don't talk much about Ack Ack these days. But few horses before or since have commanded his versatility – setting sprint records and winning handily at classic distances under staggering imposts.
She never lost a race against fillies and mares. She was a two-time champion, winning some of the most prestigious races in her division, as well as a couple of big ones against males. She never raced outside of New York, but demonstrated her versatility by winning races at six different tracks within the state.
Her name was Maskette and, as her accomplishments suggest, she was fast, talented, durable, and downright unstoppable when at her best.
Songbird captured the heart of bloodstock agent Tom McGreevy the instant they exchanged glances.
McGreevy had scrutinized so many horses through the years, long enough to know that the great ones separate themselves from the good, the good distance themselves from the mediocre.
Songbird’s look all but demanded that he purchase her in behalf of Rick Porter’s Fox Hill Farm.
A bank of menacing grey clouds rolled low over the barns at Belmont Park the morning of Oct. 2, 1976. A steady rain began to pelt the Long Island, N.Y., track.
It was bad news for trainer Frank Whiteley. In 47 previous starts, his champion Forego had run only once on an off-track, finishing third.
