Born in 1930 (same year as Buddy Jacobson) Caesar Kimmel was the son of notorious underworld figure Manny Kimmel and father of horse trainer John Kimmel. He was born into contradiction. Raised in the long shadow of one of America’s most quietly powerful underworld financiers, he chose a path that placed him not in back rooms of rackets, but on the backstretch of racetracks—where sweat, loyalty, and survival defined a man more than his name.

A contemporary and associate of Buddy Jacobson, Ceasar operated in the same orbit of New York racing culture during its most volatile decades. While others chased quick scores, Ceasar built influence through relationships—with trainers, grooms, jockeys, and owners who depended on the fragile economics of the sport. His role in the early growth and advocacy efforts tied to the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) made him an important, if understated, figure in the fight for pensions, protections, and dignity for backstretch workers.

 

Where Buddy Jacobson often embodied instinct and hustle, Caesar represented calculation and restraint. He understood systems—how money flowed, how pressure was applied, and how to navigate power without appearing to wield it. He was not loud, not flashy, and rarely the center of attention. But when decisions were made behind closed doors, Caesar was often closer to them than most realized.