Mountain Man

Inducted 1997

1965 B.G. by Gallant Man - Molecomb Peak
30 Wins in 80 Starts, from age 4 to 11
Career Earnings: $59,322

Finger Lakes Record of 1:52 3/5 for 1 mile 1/8

Mountain Man, or "Big Muzzie" as he was affectionately known, was a perennial favorite at Finger Lakes in the 1970's, tallying between 1 and 10 victories every year from the ages of 4 to 10. Battling soundness and health problems throughout his career, he continually amazed and inspired the racing public with his exciting come-from-behind style. Under the vigilant training of P.J. Muhlrooney, and the skilled handling of jockey Warren Vedilago, Mountain Man scored his most successful year as a 5 year-old, posting wins in 16 starts, culminating in the 1970 Rochester Handicap victory, in which he gamely defeated Irish Dude and Terrible Tiger while setting a new track record at Finger Lakes for 1 1/8 miles in 1:52 3/5. With a career spanning 8 years and a winning percentage of 38%, Mountain Man was heralded as "Horse of the Decade", an honor that befits a legend.