SECRETARIAT
A LONG LASTING MOMENT FOREVER FROZEN IN TIME~2:24
Secretariat raced into immortality in the 1973 Belmont Stakes. His victory, by one of the widest margins in the history of the American turf-31 lengths ahead of his nearest challenger and in a worldrecord time of 2:24 for the 1 1/2-mile distance – remains one of the most memorable in sports history.
Secretariat ran more powerfully than one could ever imagine. To feel the glory of Secretariat’s Belmont is to be flooded with emotion after seeing something of true wonder.
On June 9, 1973, Secretariat broke from the inside post in the third leg of the Triple Crown and went to the front from the start. He was challenged by old rival Sham into the first turn, around the long first turn, and into the backstretch. The two were flying on the front end, ripping off blazing fractions. The pace was too much for Sham, but only seemed to energize Secretariat.
As Secretariat rounded the sweeping Belmont far turn he seemed to be on cruise control, with jockey Ron Turcotte just steering. Secretariat’s lead widened from seven lengths to 20 lengths on that turn.
On to the wire, Turcotte did not ease the horse, but let him run on. On any other day, the rider would have been pulling the horse up through the lane, saving something for another day. But this was the day. Secretariat was no longer racing against the others. He was racing against only himself and history. The margin kept widening, and widening, and widening.
And then it was over.
The moment froze. What we are left with are fleeting glimpses — a blazing pace, a huge running machine, a visual roar of acceleration, an ever-widening margin, the coat darkening, a white vapor of feet, a jockey sitting chilly, a horse alone — and one long-lasting moment frozen in memory. What we witnessed. The champion’s charisma. A feeling. An emotion. A ripple of goose bumps.
A moment of greatness.
