On June 9, 1973, the thoroughbred racehorse Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes, the third and final race of the Triple Crown, by a tremendous 31 lengths. His time, 2 minutes and 24 seconds, remains the world record for a 1.5 mile horse race on dirt.
Earlier that year, Secretariat also broke the 1.25 mile record at the Kentucky Derby with a time of 1 minute and 59 seconds. His victory at Churchill Downs and later, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, made him the 9th winner of the Triple Crown and the first in 25 years.
Secretariat’s astounding speed and power have been greatly honored and recognized in the years since. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1974, one year after his Triple Crown victory, and in 1999, ESPN listed him as the 35th of the 100 Greatest North American athletes of the 20th century.
Chic Anderson, the announcer at the ‘73 Belmont Stakes, called these words, which would later become iconic. “They’re on the turn and Secretariat is blazing along…Secretariat is widening now. He is moving like a tremendous machine!”
A tremendous machine indeed, Secretariat is a legendary figure of American sports and a prime example of the majesty of equestrianism.
The 2023 Belmont Stakes will take place on Saturday, June 10.
Anthony Bringaze 