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A RACE FOR THE RECORD

© Joy Butler

Thousands of horse racing fans held their breath last May 5th, as Monarchos skimmed across the finish line of the 127th Kentucky Derby. A moment of question, a veil of suspense, hung over those most devoted to thoroughbred racing.

The announcer had already called the first half mile of the Derby the fastest in history, at 44.8 seconds. In that smoking pace, Monarchos had surely broken Secretariat's 1:59.4 record set way back in 1973. Records had been broken at Churchill Downs in earlier races that day. The weather was perfect. The track was extremely fast. Anything could happen!

As the horses slowed to a trot and cooled down, anxious fans listened for the official time. Seconds later, they heard. 1:59.9. Only a split second's difference but, once again, and for the twenty-eighth year, the remarkable Secretariat's record still stood!

One of only eleven in history to accomplish the ultimate in horse racing, Secretariat thundered to victory in all three Triple Crown races, of 1973. Even more outstanding, was the long-striding chestnut colt's ability to overcome obstacles and set new records.

On July 4, 1972, in his first race, he was bumped from both sides leaving the starting gate. He almost went down and was squeezed by the other horses and, at one point, was knocked into the rail. Despite his rough trip and lack of experience, the burly colt gathered himself and made a tremendous run in the homestretch, finishing fourth. Trainer Lucien Laurin took note. In eight other starts as a two year old, Secretariat won 7 firsts and 1 second. He was named Horse of the Year.

His career opened 1973 with a bang. Entering the Kentucky Derby as the deserving favorite, he broke late, running in his familiar style of last to first. By the first turn, Secretariat was passing horses like they were standing still, until he flew across the line in a 2 and 1/2 length victory, setting the 1:59.4 record that may never be broken.

With his first jewel of the Triple Crown claimed, Big Red, as he was affectionately known, moved on to the Preakness. Once again, jockey Ron Turcotte guided him from last to first and he easily repeated the 2 and 1/2 length win. Although Pimlico track officials claimed his time was 2/5 of a second slower than the track record of 1:54, clockers for the Daily Racing Forum timed his run at 3/5 of a second faster than the record.