Johnny Longden

 

Johnny Longden, "The Pumper"

Longden rode in and won his first race at Bay Meadows race track in 1935. He was the winner of the first Golden Gate Handicap at Golden Gate Fields in 1947 and won 10 of the first 17 runnings of the Handicap. Winner of the Triple Crown in 1943 on Count Fleet. The Johnny Longden Turf Course at Bay Meadows named in his honor in 1978. Had a total of 6,032 career wins. As a trainer, his horse Majestic Prince won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 1969. Enshrined in the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.