by Bob Heyden

What is it about August 16 anyway? On that date, there was greatness everywhere. Here’s a look at notable names from just that day.

In 1901, Dan Patch was 5 years old and racing in Brighton, MA. He was not, yet, the Dan Patch we know about today, but was quickly getting there. That year would mark the first of many Dan Patch days in his birthplace of Oxford, IN.

But on Aug. 16, his sire Joe Patchen was also racing. He was 11 years old and at the tail end of a 100 53-39-5 career that netted him near $50,000. Father and son even warmed up side by side. But this was to be the final pair of races for dad — finishing well back twice despite a stellar career which earned him the nickname “The Iron Horse.”

Joe Patchen would resume his siring career and would actually outlive Dan Patch by seven months. He died on Feb. 18, 1917. Dan Patch died on July 11, 1916.

BABE, ELVIS AND NIATROSS

On Aug. 16 in 1948, Babe Ruth died. Then, in 1977 Elvis died on the same date. But in 1980, Aug. 16 was the day Niatross did something that was unreal — even for him. He set his fifth consecutive world record.

MAGIC MAN’S MAGIC DAY

Aug. 16, 1984 was, quite possibly, the sport’s most eventful/colorful day ever. On that date, the richest harness race ever was contested — the $2,161,000 Woodrow Wilson. Nihilator won it for Bill O’Donnell with Ernie Gaskin training for the Billy Haughton stable. Bob Boni and Lou Guida were the principal owners.

The same day had other drama/notable happenings. At Springfield, Fancy Crown set the world filly record 1:53.4 to solidify her position as Horse of the Year.

Chris Boring also joined in the fun with an all-time sophomore best 1:50.3 with his standout Colt Forty-Six. (Cornstalk had won in world record time of 1:53 4, but that was on Aug. 15).

O’Donnell, if he wasn’t, yet, recognized as the Magic Man, this day sealed it. He drove Fancy Crown to a world record, won five races at Springfield and then flew to The Meadowlands where he won five more and set another world record, this time for a 2-year-old, with Nihilator (1:52.4).

MADONNA AND SI

Two Aug. 16 entrants that almost made the cut include Madonna, born on that day in 1958 (a game-changer for sure) and Sports Illustrated hitting the stands for the very first time in 1954 on that same date.

SUN STAKES NOTES

The Lynch Memorial started in 1970 in split divisions for… wait for it… $6,062 each.

Actually, from 1976-80 the Lynch was previously known as both the Miller Memorial and for just a single year the Miss Pocono (1997).

The Earl Beal started in 2011 with Dejarmbro kicking it off. Then, in 2014, Father Patrick set a 1:50.2 track and world standard.

The Max Hempt Memorial is named for a giant in many ways — especially in the Keystone State. Hempt was the owner and his family bred the 1954 Horse of the Year Stenographer, who has the distinction of living longer than any other HOY — 35.

Hempt also bred-and later stood 1976 HOY Keystone Ore.

Remember it was in the 2000 Hempt that HOY Gallo Blue Chip was second to Sam Francisco.

This year’s Sun Stakes card has three sets of brothers in action: James/Mark MacDonald, Mattias/Marcus Melander and Andy/Todd McCarthy.