Secretariat: Big Horse, Big Heart

I loved the track and most rewarding was watching the horses run, the drama of come-from-behind finishes, lead-all-the--way wins, and everything in-between. Maybe the betting makes the rooting for a contender easier, but for me, the grace of the horses and the competitive spirit on the track was mostly enough, although like most people, I wanted to bet on the winner.

My father, an inveterate gambler, first took me to the track when I came back from military service in 1965. After that, I was hooked; broke, saddled and "rid hard" by racing. I was a fan.

In later years, the Preakness started the Infield festivities for Preakness Day, although then it was just called a party, mostly for families, some for hard-partying college kids and others; all determined to have fun. Those in attendance in the stands were a little different, Preakness had it's customs and traditions, oriented in the families and owners, breedersand trainers of Maryland,part of the "horse belts that runs from New York south through East Coast states to kentucky and Tennessee. iI's Dress Code-wide-brimmed hats- it's flowers-Black-Eyed Susan's everywhere,and it's drinks-all kinds but mainly the Preakness tradition-called-for Black-Eyed Susan's (this time bourbon instead of bonnets) made with Jack Daniels or Jim Beam bourbon whiskey, whereas the Kentucky Derby drink is a Mint Julep, traditionally made with Woodford Kentucky distillery Bourbon.

But, that May in 1973 was a special day for every fan of every sport. Televisions and radios around the U.S. and around the world were tuned into Old Hilltop, as those who remember it's history sometimes called it, and which was the name broadcaster's were sure to introduce sometime during their background and "color commentary" to hel create the sense of history and excitement leading up to the big race.

Secretariat, Horse of The Year, syndicated for a world record 6.02 million, stock of endless sports writers filling columns everywhere, was racing today for the second leg of the Triple Crown, which no horse had won in twenty-five years!, since Citation in 1948!

Secretariat came from behind-again, no feat for faint hearts to watch to be sure, but worthy of the screaming encouragement of the fans-and led at the finish by two and one-half lengths; and again Sham, Secretariat's runner-up in the Derby was second, to the chagrin of her continuously-bragging owner.

Two weeks later, in the Belmont, the longest of the Triple Crown races, Secretariat led almost the entire race, and won by thirty-one lengths, a win no horse had every accomplished before, or since.

You might speculate that Secretariat's fans were so enthusiastic because they needed a winner after the experience of the long Vietnam War; that this was an American story that everybody could really enjoy and support. You'd be right.

As much the story of Secretariat was the story of the god-like fortuitous circumstances that had created this opportunity. The coin toss that could have gone either way, but which gave Penny (Tweedy) Chenery the rights to the un-named foal, later named Secretariat after many rejections of names submitted to the Jockey Club Official Name Registration committee, and named by Mrs. Ham, the Chenery Farm's long-standing Secretary (any coincidence there?).

The lucky recommendation of a family friend to replace a less-than-capable trainer with the fabulous-and hat quirky-Lucien Laurin; and hiring of Ron Turcotte, an indomitable jockey whose heart, some say, was equal to "Big Red's." And, not to leave out Eddie Sweat, Secretariat's life-long groom, who spent so much time with the horse that they were inseparable, truly stable-mates in every sense.

So, here we are. The story is a great one, the DVD worth viewing by anyone who likes horses, or sports, or who even likes stories of winning, and the circumstances, trials and luck that accompany the fame and glory that attends success.

Secretariat may be one of a kind. Secretariat was bred over 600 times, earning over $60 Million in Stud fees. His progeny include many champion horses and breeding lines, but no Triple Crown winners.

When I watched the story again I was thoughtful when it was over, knowing that there are few things in life as rewarding as a good story, and in this case, the good movie derived from the story.

Watch. Enjoy. And if you're lucky, you'll find yourself rooting for Secretariat, even though you already know he won.