Jack Ackerman Passes Horseman John M. 'Jack' Ackerman, prominent in Michigan racing for many decades, died in early July at age 83 after a long illness.
He drove his first race at age 13, then served in World War II. Ackerman gained national prominence in his 20s racing the stock of the Brown Valley Farms from Lavonia, Michigan. The stable was owned by Ford dealer Bob Brown, jr.
He had Royal Blackstone for a while, says Doug Ackerman, his Hall of Fame brother. His best horse was probably Royal Melody, a son of Royal Blackstone.
In 1957, after the wonder colt Torpid had won the Little Brown Jug and 36 of his 39 lifetime starts, it was Jack Ackerman and Royal Melody that upset Torpid in the Poplar Hill Farm pace at the Red Mile, it made him the fourth fastest pacer of 1957, regardless of age.
Ackerman raced many other prominent horses in that era for Brown Valley Farms, including Scotch Valley, one of the top trotters in the sport, and the good pacer Royal Valley. When Scotch Valley took his 159 3/5 mark in 1956, he was only one of only 20 trotters in history with a race record that fast.
Ackerman was on of the top trainers and drivers in Michigan in that era and was named the leading driver in the nation by the the U.S. Harness Writers Assn. in 1957 when he was 31 years old. He later developed Gay Skipper (life mark at 4, earnings $256,235.)
"He lived a straight life", said Doug. "He never smoked or drank."
Poster comment:
Jack was my hero. I met Jack in the twilight of his racing career, in 1977. At that time, Jack was the oldest guy racing in Chicago, but Jack was a straight up guy. I don't know why Jack even talked with me, I was just a racing fan, and a drunk back then. But I guess that Jack knew that I really knew the racing game.
I saw Jack working out Racy Thought, an Illinois Bred gelding at Old Sportsmans Park, in Cicero Il, in 1977. Jack really sizzled Racy in a workout. I timed Racy Thought goin' 2:00 3/5 in a workout a few days before Racy was entered in the 1977 American National for 2 year olds. Back in 1977, 2:00 3/5 was fast for a race, let alone an unchallenged workout. I ran to the rail, and said "Mr. Ackerman, who's that?", Jack said, with a giant grin, "Racy Thought.!"
Racy ran a strong third in that 1977 American National, and that was impressive for an Illinois bred racing in open company. Racy went on to win his next 10 in a row, most in wire to wire fashion.
For the next couple of years, Jack treated me like I was a horse owner and a friend. He talked to me at the fence in the paddock with the other big shots, and Jack even invited me to Pompano Park to visit him and Racy too. Jack must have really been suprised when I showed up that winter too.
I am so happy to have met Jack back then. I haven't seen Jack in 30 years, but I will never forget my friend, Jack Ackerman.