Jack Coady among Prairie Meadows Hall of Fame Inducties

Altoona, IA - July 14, 2011 - Retired jockey Tim Doocy and track photographer Jack Coady have been named to the Prairie Meadows Hall of Fame by the track’s selection committee.

Doocy is an Iowa native who grew up in Humboldt and moved to Glenwood when he was a high school senior, where he made the state wrestling tournament in the 98-pound class. He ranks 23rd among jockeys with 5,061 career victories. He had seven years where he topped 200 wins.

Doocy won 536 races at Prairie Meadows, including 32 stakes races. He set a record for wins in a year at the track with 132 in 2004, and was the leading rider of the thoroughbred meet from 2004-06.


"I did well there and liked riding there," Doocy said. "I had family around there. I grew up in Iowa, so it was really nice being there."


He won his first race after graduating from high school in 1974 at the now-defunct Commodore Downs in Erie, Pa. He continued to ride until his career was ended by an injury in a training accident at Oaklawn Park in December 2009.


He said his biggest racing highlight had nothing to do with winning a race. He met his wife, Terry, in the paddock at Fonner Park in Nebraska and they were married in 1977.


"That was the best thing that ever happened to me in racing," Doocy said. His victories included winning the 1990 Haskell Invitational aboard Restless Conn.


"Winning the 1990 Haskell was a highlight. The career was a highlight," Doocy said. "It wasn't just one race, every race was important, whether it was a cheap race or a stakes race. I got to do something for 35 years that I really loved, and married someone very special that let me do it. And I met a lot of great people. It was a combination of everything."


Coady has been Prairie Meadows' photographer since the track opened on March 1, 1989. He and wife Mary Lou, whom he met at Prairie Meadows and live near the track in Bondurant.


One of his most popular photos is known in Iowa as "the snow race," which shows Holmish running through snow flurries to win the first race held at Prairie Meadows.


"I've shot a lot of big races, but that photo probably means the most to me,' Coady said.


He said he never expected to be chosen to the Hall of Fame.


"It was pretty much out of left field," Coady said. "I'm used to taking pictures of people getting awards, not getting the award. I don't know that I've heard of any track photographers getting in a (racetrack) Hall of Fame. It's a great honor. I'm thrilled."

Read More: Des Moines Register