Secretariat

Not This Time Colt A Big Upset Winner In Secretariat S.

The Virginia-bred Gigante (Not This Time) refused to let Nagirroc (Lea) by in the final yards as he gallantly defended his home turf in the GI Secretariat S. at Colonial Downs Saturday. The 22-1 longshot was shuffled back to last as Mo Stash (Mo Town) took the field through fractions of :23.67 and :48.03. The field bunched up around the far turf and Gigante was rolling up into contention four wide approaching the lane. He forged to the lead with a furlong to run and grittily held Nagirroc at bay...

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The Remains of One Magnificent Day

The 50 years that have passed since Secretariat's Herculean victory in the Belmont Stakes have taken a toll on the number of the 67,605 souls who came to witness history and saw a day sanctified by the racing gods. But then, unlike Secretariat, we are mere mortals. I am one of the dwindling number of those who were present on that sweltering day in June 1973. The memory of that magnificent day remains, intensely vibrant and charged with emotion, but it is now more a mosaic than a painting, with...

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Wednesday's Belmont Stakes Report: Rush Hour

ELMONT, NY - With the rising sun attempting to make its way through hazy skies as air quality health advisories remain in effect throughout the New York City area due to the Canadian wildfires, eight of the nine GI Belmont Stakes runners were in action during the first hour of training on a cool Wednesday morning. Angel of Empire (Classic Empire) and Tapit Shoes (Tapit), both equipped with white bridles and NYRA's commemorative 50th Anniversary Secretariat Belmont S. saddle towels, made a favorable impression in their first day of training...

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This Side Up: Plus Ca Change….

At a time when so many people seem to be allowing a duty of vigilance to crumble into morbid defeatism, it seems a little unfair that our sport should be going through such a hard time even as we approach the 50th anniversary of the most luminous tour de force in the story of the modern breed. Of course, as some powerful evocations of the time have lately reminded us, Secretariat arrived as a sunbeam into a wider world darkened by Vietnam and civic unrest. And nor should we deceive...

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Racecaller Dave Johnson Remembers Secretariat's Belmont on TDN Writers' Room

Dave Johnson, who was the track announcer for Secretariat's win in the GI Belmont, joined this week's TDN Writers' Room podcast to share his memories of the unforgettable day in racing's history.

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Dave Johnson Joins TDN Writers' Room, Talks Secretariat

On that June afternoon nearly 50 years ago, Dave Johnson was there to witness one of the most memorable moments in the history of horse racing. As the NYRA track announcer, he called Secretariat's win in the GI Belmont S., an event he, and anyone who was there that day, will never forget. To share his memories, Johnson joined the team for this week's TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland. Johnson was this week's Green Group Guest of the Week. He recalled that Secretariat came around at the perfect...

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Tom Durkin Returns to Call the Belmont Stakes on Fox

Tom Durkin will return to the announcers booth to call the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, June 10, according to a press release from FOX Sports. In addition to calling the Belmont Stakes, Durkin will announce all races aired during the network's Belmont Stakes Day coverage on FOX--scheduled for 4:00-7:30 p.m. Eastern. FOX Sports presents the Belmont Stakes for the first time in 2023 as part of the agreement establishing the network as the home of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival through 2030. "This is yet another...

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NYRA Offers Ticket Package Celebrating Secretariat's Triple Crown

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's Triple Crown performance in the 1973 Belmont, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will offer a special $50 ticket package, including General Admission for the June 10 Belmont, two Day Chaser cocktails and a custom, limited-edition, Day Chaser koozie featuring the event's official logo. The commemorative offering amounts to a nearly 25% savings on the bundled admissions and drink package. The "Chase the Day" GA+ package includes: Belmont Day admission with access to the trackside apron bench seating, backyard and grandstand...

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50 Years Ago Today, I Was At Secretariat's Derby

It hit me hard the other night how old I have become. My brain was slowly processing that it was 50 years ago I saw Secretariat win the Kentucky Derby. I exaggerate. A lot. I caught a brief glimpse of Secretariat as he flew by my strained vantage point. After insistent begging, my older sister and her friends relented and took me with them to my first Derby. It was May 5, 1973 and we were in the infield. Frankly, at age 14, my day was already complete way before...

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Kentucky Derby Museum's Secretariat Exhibit Open

The new, immersive Secretariat: America's Horse exhibit at the Kentucky Derby Museum is now open to the public in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the chestnut's historic Derby win and Triple Crown sweep. The exhibit, sponsored by Longines, shows Secretariat from all aspects of his greatness; from his impact as a celebrity in the hearts of so many to his incredible athleticism. State-of-the-art technology inside the exhibit allows for guests to visualize what made Secretariat a remarkable horse--from his unbelievably large heart, to extra muscle, and more. A variety...

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National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Presents A Tremendous Machine

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's historic 1973 Triple Crown sweep, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will present traveling and onsite exhibitions honoring the accomplishments and enduring legacy of the famed Meadow Stable colt from May through October. The exhibitions are underwritten by Churchill Downs, Inc., the Maryland Jockey Club, the New York Racing Association, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the Virginia Equine Alliance, Dean Dorton Equine, and Godolphin. A Tremendous Machine: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat's Triple Crown will journey the same path...

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MHBA, MTHA Host Tesio Talk

The Maryland Horse Breeders Association and the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association will host a Tesio Talk and continental breakfast in the International Room at Laurel Park on Federico Tesio S. day, Apr. 15. The "Talking Tesio" event begins at 10:30 a.m. and will feature a continental breakfast followed by a panel discussion with industry leaders about Tesio's influence on the breed. Speakers include Country Life Farm's Josh Pons, J. William Boniface, the owner of Bonita Farm, and Ned Moore, owner of Corner Farm in Clark County, Virginia, bloodstock agent, and...

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