HARNESS RACING MUSEUM AND LIVING HALL OF FAME

Lou Guida, whose innovative approach to horse ownership and stallion syndication led to significant changes in the harness racing industry, was born in Jersey City, NJ on December 21, 1933. Choosing to drop out of high school, he worked during the day at the Joseph Dixon Crucible Co. while studying television repair at night. He opened his first small store at the age of nineteen with a bankroll of $800 and developed it into a successful multi-store business which sold and repaired televisions and employed more than twenty five people. A few years thereafter, he built a state-of-the-art car wash and operated both companies for several years. He later sold both businesses and started a finance company, Fidelity Finance, which ultimately employed over one hundred individuals. He sold Fidelity Finance in 1966 in order to join Merrill Lynch, and by 1970 he had become the firm’s leading producer world wide. He was also the first stock broker ever to be promoted to vice president in the history of the company. Guida took over

the management of the Trenton, NJ office which at that time ranked three hundred fifty fifth out of the three hundred sixty five Merrill offices and employed only sixteen brokers. Under his leadership, the office rose to third position with numerous satellite offices under its umbrella and a professional staff of over one hundred fifty. During his career with Merrill, he negotiated the sale of Caesar’s Palace to Lum’s Restaurant for which he received a substantial fee. In need of a tax shelter, he turned to harness racing and took early retirement from Merrill Lynch to pursue the sport on a full time basis. From the 1970’s until the early 21st century, he was one of the most successful individuals in the industry. He brought in rich partners, some of whom were new to the sport, formed numerous corporations and syndicates, and spent big money to acquire champion horses. 

As a breeder and/or owner, individually or in partnership with wife Rose and others, Lou Guida has been associated at some point in the careers of horses whose accomplishments are among the most significant in harness racing. Included in this group are Horse of the Year honorees Niatross (1979,1980), Nihilator (1985), Forrest Skipper (1986) and Mack Lobell (1987,1988). Two of these champions, Niatross p,3,T1:49.1 in 1980 and Mack Lobell 3, 1:52.1 in 1987, set world records that now have been broken but at that time were the fastest pacing and trotting miles ever recorded; and others held world records in various categories. Twenty one of them became millionaires, fourteen held divisional titles, and twenty were winners of Breeders Crown races. Included in the list are the winners of 5 Messenger Stakes, 4 Little Brown Jugs, 4 Meadowlands Paces, 4 Cane Paces, 3 Orsi Mangellis, 3 Tarport Haps, 4 Woodrow Wilsons, 3 Zweig Memorials, 2 Hambletonians, 2 Hambletonian Oaks, 2 Kentucky Futurities, 2 Sweetheart Paces, 3 Three Diamonds, 2 World Trotting Derbies, 2 Yonkers Trots, 1 Elitlopp, and 1 Italian Derby. In 1980 Guida and his associates won the Pacing Triple Crown with Niatross and in 1985 won the three legs of the Pacing Triple Crown with three different horses – Chairmanoftheboard (Cane Pace), Nihilator (Little Brown Jug) and Pershing Square (Messenger Stakes). Other notable horses associated with Guida are American Freedom, B G’s Bunny, Baltic Striker, Barberry Spur, Bonnie & Clyde, Bullville Victory, Caressable, Cole Muffler, Conquered Quest, Crown’s Invitation, David Raymond, Delray Lobell, Diamond Exchange, Donerail, Dontgetinmyway, Dragon’s Lair, Electric Slide, Embassy Lobell, Follow My Star, Freedom’s Friend, Hazleton Kay, Hot Hitter, Immortality, In The Pocket, Jake & Elwood, Keystone Raider, Lady Niatrose, Masquerade, Miss Easy, OK Bye, Park Avenue Joe, Park Avenue Kathy, Peace Corps, Pine Chip, Sandman Hanover, Seahawk Hanover, Sonsam, Triple T Storm and Wesgate Crown. 

Although Guida is no longer involved with harness racing in the US, he and his wife are successful breeders and owners of Standardbreds in Italy. Guida was the recipient of the 1987 USHWA Good Guy Award, the 1989 USHWA President’s Award, and the 1991 Stanley F. Bergstein Messenger Award.

Guida has been involved with various sports since childhood. As a young baseball player, he was scouted by the NY Giants and asked to join their farm team in Jersey City, NJ; however, due to his mother’s disapproval he declined the offer. Lou claims that the smartest move he ever made in sports was to purchase the Philadelphia Eagles football team, and his dumbest move was selling it. 

Lou also breeds Thoroughbreds in the US in partnership with Dr. Philip McCarthy, a prominent veterinarian. Twenty five years ago, a group formed by Guida, called the Laurel Guida Group, purchased 50% interest in Laurel Racetrack and a percentage of ownership in Pimlico Racetrack, where the Preakness, part of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown, is raced. The group later sold their interest to Magna Entertainment; however, they retained rights to future gambling outlets that may be approved at the tracks. 

  Lou and his wife Rose, who reside in Jupiter, FL, have three children: Mark (wife Sharon), Jayme (son-in-law David Marad), and Cindy (son-in-law Mark Deleo). They are the grandparents of Alex, Christina, Gabriella and Madisyn. 

 For Hall of Fame Day and  Induction Ceremony information click here