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This Day in History -- Secretariat Wins Kentucky Derby
May 4, 2020 at 11:21 AM EDT
By WeatherBug's Erik Gates
You don’t have to be into horse racing to recognize the legendary name, Secretariat. On this very day 47 years ago that name became written in stone.
Of all thoroughbred horse racing, the triple crown is arguably the greatest achievement. The top three-year-old horses compete in a series of three races, The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. In the history of the set of races, only 13 horses have managed to win all three in a given year, most recently Justify in 2018 and American Pharaoh in 2015. While these wins are certainly impressive, no horse has been able to replicate Secretariat’s incredible run.
It all began on a beautiful spring day at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., in May, 5th 1973. Secretariat was the favorite, but his poor performance at the last preparation race, the Wood Memorial Stakes in Queens, N.Y., put some doubt into the minds of both racing experts and bettors alike. The primary challenger, Sham, who had won a major race in the Santa Anita Derby in California, was seen by many to be the likely winner of the contest.
Starting out of the number 10 post position, Secretariat got off to a slow start, only passing two horses by the start of the first turn. As the race progressed, he began to pass more and more of his competitors to the outside. By the three-quarters post, Sham pulled ahead, but the lead was short-lived as the surging Secretariat blew passed him in the homestretch. Secretariat won the derby with a record time of 1 minute and 59 and two fifths of a second; a record that still stands to this day. In addition, he finished every quarter mile with a faster time than the previous split, a tremendous statistic.
Secretariat went on to win the triple crown, ending a 25-year drought. He once again held off Sham at the Preakness, setting another track record which still stands to this day. His performance at the Belmont is widely considered the greatest of all time. He got off to a fast start, eventually winning by a record 31 lengths. In addition, his time of 2 minutes and 24 seconds not only stands as a record at Belmont Park, but as the fastest time on a 1.5 mile dirt track in American history.
It’s safe to say that Secretariat has earned is place as the greatest racing thoroughbred horse to ever live. While this year’s Triple Crown may be put on hold, hopefully the horses stay primed for fall in hopes of shattering more records, potentially joining Secretariat at the top of the racing world.
Of all thoroughbred horse racing, the triple crown is arguably the greatest achievement. The top three-year-old horses compete in a series of three races, The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. In the history of the set of races, only 13 horses have managed to win all three in a given year, most recently Justify in 2018 and American Pharaoh in 2015. While these wins are certainly impressive, no horse has been able to replicate Secretariat’s incredible run.
It all began on a beautiful spring day at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., in May, 5th 1973. Secretariat was the favorite, but his poor performance at the last preparation race, the Wood Memorial Stakes in Queens, N.Y., put some doubt into the minds of both racing experts and bettors alike. The primary challenger, Sham, who had won a major race in the Santa Anita Derby in California, was seen by many to be the likely winner of the contest.
Starting out of the number 10 post position, Secretariat got off to a slow start, only passing two horses by the start of the first turn. As the race progressed, he began to pass more and more of his competitors to the outside. By the three-quarters post, Sham pulled ahead, but the lead was short-lived as the surging Secretariat blew passed him in the homestretch. Secretariat won the derby with a record time of 1 minute and 59 and two fifths of a second; a record that still stands to this day. In addition, he finished every quarter mile with a faster time than the previous split, a tremendous statistic.
Secretariat went on to win the triple crown, ending a 25-year drought. He once again held off Sham at the Preakness, setting another track record which still stands to this day. His performance at the Belmont is widely considered the greatest of all time. He got off to a fast start, eventually winning by a record 31 lengths. In addition, his time of 2 minutes and 24 seconds not only stands as a record at Belmont Park, but as the fastest time on a 1.5 mile dirt track in American history.
It’s safe to say that Secretariat has earned is place as the greatest racing thoroughbred horse to ever live. While this year’s Triple Crown may be put on hold, hopefully the horses stay primed for fall in hopes of shattering more records, potentially joining Secretariat at the top of the racing world.