John Kimmel Birthdate: June 25, 1954 Birthplace:East Orange, N.J. Residence: Garden City, N.Y., and Tequesta, Fla. Family: sons, Ryan and Zack.

2008 Gulfstream Record

Career:

• Kimmel’s biggest win at Gulfstream came with Friends Lake, winner of the 2004 Florida Derby 
• He trained Hidden Lake to an Eclipse Award as champion older female in 1997, a year in which she captured four stakes in New York
• Was the leading trainer in New York in 1999 by both wins (71) and stakes wins (10)
• Kimmel led all New York trainers by earnings in 1997, 1998 and 1999
• Has won four Aqueduct trainers’ titles, the 1999 Belmont fall title, and the 1997 Saratoga trainer’s title (in a tie with Bill Mott)
• Saddled first Grade 1 winner in 1994 when Twist Afleet captured the Test Stakes
• Trained Marasca to win Gulfstream’s inaugural Aventura Stakes in 2002
• Other top runners of recent years have included 2001 Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship victor Hook and Ladder, Catinca, Crafty Friend, Flat Feet Fleet, Golden Bri, Successful Appeal, Swamp and Wheelaway.
  

Other: Graduated from University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School in 1980 and practiced with Dr. Michael Teigland until 1983. He was a senior at U.Penn during the time when Dr. Dean Richardson of Barbaro fame was in his internship. Kimmel ran his own practice until 1987 … Became well-known during that time for practicing equine acupuncture … Introduction to racing came via father Caesar, a prominent owner … Saddled first winner, Chachi Man, at Calder in 1987 ... Son Ryan is a professional surfer and senior at UCLA while his other son, Zack, is a student at Parsons School of Design