The Innovators
 

Who are they?

I was thinking about Mr. Umphrey, the horse, who was named for and who led me to start thinking of Mr. Umphrey, the man.

Both are gone.

I don't quite know when I first heard his name. I had only followed the sport for a year and a half when he sadly died (way too young). I know why though. His innovative ideas... doesn't it say a lot about how creative he was for such a new fan to be aware that there was a person behind so many fun races and cool ideas?

My question is who else is there? Was there? Who are and were the innovators? What other names should I know / do I need to learn about / are you surprised that I don't know? Who needs to be applauded and what creative ideas of theirs have become a reality? What is or what will be their legacy?

Jim McKay

Who was Mr. Umphrey? The man..

Tell me about Jim Mc Kay. I know the name, but...

Bob Umphrey (racing secretary at Calder. Only 53 when he died) thought up the Summit of Speed (which was called something else at first... cannot think of it!) and I believe he had a lot to do with the Extreme Day and all those fun races (wrong way, grey horses,etc).

Mr. Umphrey, the horse, died running for a 7k tag at Penn or Parx, forget which. He had been in the Met Mile (as a rabbit, but still...)

Jim McKay was the host of Wide World of Sports, Olympics ('72 hostage situation) and in racing the creator of the Maryland Million, leading the way to the big statebred racing days we have today throughout the country as well as the Breeders Cup.