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 $400,000. 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.

Since inception in 1991, the Ack Ack has been contested at three different distances: 1 mile : 1991, 2006–2009, 2012 furlongs : 1994–2005 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.

The event was not held in 1992 and 1993.

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

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

Records Speed record 1 mile: 1:33.78 – Pants On Fire (2013) furlongs: 1:27.15 – Cappuchino (2003) miles: 1:43.79 - Apart (2010)

Margins lengths – Istan (2007)

Most wins No horse has won this race more than once.

Most wins by a jockey 4 – Calvin Borel (1996, 1998, 1999, 2004)

Most wins by a trainer 3 – Brad H. Cox (2021, 2023, 2026)

Most wins by an owner 2 – John A. Franks (1996, 1999)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefAck Ack Stakes2026Bishops Bay6Tyler GaffalioneBrad H. CoxKAS Stables1 mile1:34.51$399,000III2025Tumbarumba5Tyler GaffalioneBrian A. Lynch Wathnan Racing1 mile1:35.44$335,000III2024Three Technique 7Rafael BejaranoJason CookEric Grindley, David E. Miller, Howard F. Preuss & John Werner 1 mile1:35.32$356,000 III2023Zozos4Florent GerouxBrad H. CoxBarry & Joni Butzow1 mile1:35.32$400,000III2022Senor Buscador4Francisco ArrietaTodd W. Fincher Joe R. Peacock Jr.1 mile1:34.60$300,000III2021Plainsman6Joel RosarioBrad H. CoxShortleaf Stable1 mile1:33.85$297,250III2020Mr. Money4Gabriel SaezW. Bret CalhounAllied Racing Stable & Spendthrift Farm 1 mile1:34.85$100,000III2019Mr Freeze4Robby AlbaradoDale L. RomansJim Bakke & Gerald Isbister1 mile1:34.11$150,000III2018Seeking the Soul5Brian Hernandez Jr.Dallas StewartCharles E. Fipke1 mile1:35.01$100,000III2017Awesome Slew4Corey J. LanerieMark E. CasseLive Oak Plantation1 mile1:35.02$100,000III2016Tom's Ready3Brian Hernandez Jr.Dallas StewartG M B Racing1 mile1:34.86$100,000IIIAck Ack Handicap 2015Tapiture4Ricardo Santana Jr.Steven M. AsmussenWinchell Thoroughbreds1 mile1:35.39$100,000III2014Bradester4Corey J. LanerieEddie KenneallyJoseph W. Sutton1 mile1:34.54$107,300III2013Pants On Fire5Paco LopezKelly J. BreenLori & George Hall1 mile1:33.78$110,700III2012Neck 'n Neck3Brian Hernandez Jr.Ian R. WilkesA. Stevens Miles Jr.1 mile1:36.38$110,400III20113Julien R. LeparouxChris M. BlockLothenbach Stables miles1:45.68$109,700III2010Apart3Garrett K. GomezAlbert Stall Jr.Adele B. Dilschneider miles1:43.79$108,600III2009Demarcation5Paul J. McGeeAmerman Racing 1 mile1:36.15$111,000III2008Magna Graduate6Shaun BridgmohanSteven M. Asmussen Elizabeth H. Alexander 1 mile1:36:06$108,200III2007Istan5Kent J. DesormeauxWilliam I. MottDarpat S.L. Stables 1 mile1:34.08$221,600III2006It's No Joke4Robby AlbaradoRebecca MakerStanley E. Fulton1 mile1:34.77$232,800III2005Straight Line3Shaun BridgmohanHarvey L. VanierNancy A. Vanier & Cartwright Thoroughbreds furlongs1:28.34$112,200III2004Sir Cherokee4Calvin H. BorelDomino Stud furlongs1:29.48$165,300III2003Cappuchino4Jon CourtJerry HollendorferHoward Litt, George Todaro, Jerry Hollendorfer furlongs1:27.15$165,450III2002Twilight Road5Pat DayPaul J. McGeeDonamire Farm furlongs1:29.39$112,700III2001Illusioned3Pat DayWilliam I. MottKinsman Stable, Team Valor & Heiligbrodt Stable furlongs1:28.63$114,300III2000Chindi6Timothy T. DoocySteve HobbyCres Ran furlongs1:29.30$113,700III1999Littlebitlively5Calvin H. BorelBobby C. BarnettJohn A. Franks furlongs1:28.97$115,600III1998Distorted Humor5Calvin H. BorelW. Elliott Walden Russell L. Reineman & Prestonwood Farm furlongs1:29.61$110,100III1997Cat's Career4Willie MartinezLynn S. WhitingGolden Eagle Farm furlongs1:32.06$111,500III1996Western Trader5Calvin H. BorelBobby C. BarnettJohn A. Franks furlongs1:29.84$113,400Listed 1995Mystery Storm3Carlos GonzalezLarry Robideaux Jr.David Beard furlongs1:29.10$116,400 Listed 1994Lost Pan4Donna M. BartonD. Wayne LukasOverbrook Farm, D. Wayne Lukas & Jim McDonald furlongs1:30.27$84,300 Listed 1992–1993Race not held1991Seven Spades4Danny W. CoxC. Neil HuffmanDuane Clark1 mile1:37.60$59,250 Listed

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

References