Secretariat – Triple Crown Races
An evening pause: If you have never seen the Triple Crown victories by Secretariat in 1973, you need to watch this video. It will take your breath away. In the first two races jockey Ron Turcotte appears to let the pack take the lead at the start because he knows Secretariat can’t stand being behind. In the last, it is as if the horse wanted to prove to everyone that there was no horse now or ever that was faster. From the youtube webpage:
Secretariat (March 30, 1970 – October 4, 1989), also known as Big Red, was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who is the ninth winner of the American Triple Crown, setting and still holding the fastest time record in all three races. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time. He became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and his record-breaking victory in the Belmont Stakes, which he won by 31 lengths, is widely regarded as one of the greatest races in history.
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A remarkable creature, a great rider.
History.
Tell me about his burial.
Not the rider.
A.
My family raised and raised 1/4 horses for most of my childhood, it was my father’s brother’s “hobby” . . . he always really admired Secretariat and made sure I knew the history of what was accomplished. Our stud was named Wompus Cat and he was the last living progeny of the foundation breed Sire Peter McQue (sp?). Womp threw great colts BUT they all had super delicate ankles which the trainers didn’t respect and they were mostly “shinbucked” and ruined during training. Womp himself would be ahead in races and then pull up at the finish line and scream at the other horses as they ran by . . VERY embarrassing. All of Womp’s colts had a very unique sense of humor and were extremely intelligent. Racing horses is a lot like owning boats – “A hole in the water into which one pours money” well racing horses is the same, an expensive passion for sure.
Oh and another thing about Secretariat . . . he used to “pose” for pictures. YES . . .he KNEW he was being photographed and would actually pose for pictures . . true story.
Sorry to keep commenting but this is something I know a little about. When you see Secretariat running in those videos . . . that horse KNEW exactly what was going on. He “decided” to not just beat “Sham” in that 2nd race but to make sure everyone knew what the score was, period, forever. Growing up with horses I have seen intelligence in the eyes of animals, you can see it in their eyes. horses are great, elephants too, and then dolphins I have looked into their eyes and seen sentience looking back at me while swimming with them . . . smiling at me . . . knowing we are both alive here, under the grace of God, and if you piss me off I just might bite you . . . if I want . . . but don’t worry, I won’t . .
Sorry again but it was the third race in the video that Secretariate really humiliated Sham . . . sorry guys I mistyped.
Thomas Wilson: No apologies are necessary. I find your perspective interesting, especially as you confirm my impression of Secretariet, as seen by someone very ignorant of horses in general.
When Your Cat Stares At You…
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/65/63/41/656341cb3bb23f1fef9ceeef26d5a436.jpg
Growing up, both sides of my family were involved with the ‘white collar’ part of thoroughbred horse racing (i.e., operating the track and managing the races). My first job, at age 11, was fetching food, replacement equipment and cigarettes for jockeys. So by the time I was in my teens I had seen 100s of races up close, and knew how much effort the jockeys put into a race to win by a nose, or a length. The image featured in the link below captures Secretariat and jockey near the finish of the Belmont race, and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated soon after. When I first saw it I was awed, not only by the enormous lead indicated, but also by noticing that the jockey’s whip was stowed, while all the others’ far in the distance were whipping their horses all-out. To me, this image captures the epitome of the concept of dominance. You don’t often see such an obvious display, but today in the space arena SpaceX is close. https://www.nbcsports.com/betting/horse-racing/news/for-50-years-this-image-has-defined-secretariats-famed-triple-crown-who-took-it
Milton MacGregor got the ponies racing in Irondale Alabama (Derby Parkway/John Rogers Drive)…the preachers and the Poarch hated it.
Just a bingo hall now..
The race I remember the most had a horse either named:
Hoof-Hearted
or
Hoof-Arted
–but that’s not what I heard on the intercom:)