Secretariat

The Week In Review: A Wayne Lukas Renaissance

As Hall of Famer Wayne Lukas entered his mid-eighties, his longevity and his persistence became one of racing's best feel-good stories. A trainer who belongs in the conversation as one of the best of all time, he was still out there every day, physically active, mentally sharp. There didn't seem to be anything stopping him. But there was a missing ingredient. Lukas, now 87, simply wasn't winning many races, especially important ones. Lukas won the 2018 GII Risen Star S. with Bravazo (Awesome Again) on Feb. 17, 2018. He didn't...

[ Read More ]
Tickets on Sale for New Secretariat Exhibit Launch Party

The tickets are on sale for the Apr. 20 Kentucky Derby Museum's Secretariat Bourbon Dinner, presented by Fifth Third Bank. Guests at this launch party will have several opportunities, including being the first to explore the new exhibit, Secretariat: America's Horse, before it opens to the public Apr. 21. At the dinner, guests will view never-before-seen video of Secretariat's connections. Along with a seated dinner, guests will enjoy a pour of the rare Double Double Oaked Woodford Reserve, while learning from Woodford Reserve Master Distillers Chris Morris and Elizabeth McCall....

[ Read More ]
Secretariat's Legacy Available Online

Secretariat's Legacy, by award-winning journalist and photographer Patricia McQueen exploring the champion's accomplishments as a sire, is available now at www.secretariatslegacy.com. It will soon be available at other online sites and retail outlets. Accompanying the detailed research and storytelling in the 298-page coffee table book are more than 280 photos of Secretariat's sons, daughters and descendants, assembled from around the world.

[ Read More ]
Woodford Reserve Derby Bottle Celebrates Secretariat Anniversary

Woodford Reserve's commemorative 2023 Kentucky Derby bottle will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's 1973 Derby victory. The bottle features the artwork of Kentucky native Jaime Corum. Her painting captures Secretariat in the winner's circle at Churchill Downs. "I hope that my painting for this year's Woodford Reserve Derby bottle, "Still The Greatest," allows us to remember that moment of dreamlike perfection when Secretariat won the 1973 Kentucky Derby," Corum said. "I have been honored to paint Secretariat many times over the years, but this one is truly special to...

[ Read More ]
Turcotte Saddle Goes on Display Mar. 4

The saddle Ron Turcotte used while riding Secretariat to victory in the 1973 Triple Crown has been acquired by The Jim Irsay Collection and will be on display Mar. 4 at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center during a free, one-night-only performance of The Jim Irsay Band and exhibition of The Jim Irsay Collection. Irsay acquired the saddle from the now 81-year-old Turcotte. "This special saddle represents a most magical time in my racing career and its personal significance to me and my family goes beyond words," Turcotte said from...

[ Read More ]
Book Review: Secretariat's Offspring Agonistes

A stroll down the 500 block of East Maxwell Street in Lexington, Kentucky brings you to the awninged door of Black Swan Books. If your pursuits are less catholic, then Mike Courtney's seemingly endless maze of heaving shelves can accommodate even the most scrupulous bibliophile of rare Kentuckiana and equine sport culture. Say, you're looking for a past volume on the two-time Horse of the Year Secretariat, then copious choices await. More recent works like William Nack's Secretariat: The Making of a Champion (2002) and Lawrence Scanlan's The Horse That...

[ Read More ]
Kentucky Derby Museum Building Immersive Secretariat Exhibit

The Kentucky Derby Museum is building a brand new exhibit dedicated to Secretariat, which will open to the public ahead of the 149th running of the GI Kentucky Derby. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's historic Derby win and Triple Crown sweep. The exhibit, Secretariat: America's Horse, is designed to showcase Secretariat's life, stardom, and incomparable impact on horse racing, America, and the world. "Kentucky Derby Museum is thrilled to honor Secretariat in such a unique way with this brand new exhibit," said Pat Armstrong, Kentucky Derby Museum...

[ Read More ]
Pioneering Racetrack Photographer Bob Coglianese Dies at 88

Bob Coglianese, whose work from Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course and Aqueduct Racetrack served as the standard of excellence in racing photography for a generation, died Friday in Boynton Beach, Florida, the New York Racing Association has announced. He was 88. Coglianese had been ill for several months after a fall requiring surgery. As NYRA's official track photographer for more than 50 years, Coglianese was noted for images of horses from Kelso and Dr. Fager to Secretariat, Affirmed and Cigar, and most of all for his iconic head-on shot of...

[ Read More ]
Twelve Days a Racing: Jared Shoemaker Pipes Up

Jared Shoemaker, co-managing partner of Pocket Aces Racing, grew up in Lexington and fondly remembers going to Keeneland with his extended family from the time he could walk. It was one of his favorite things to do as a child. By the time he was in high school, he admits to spending a lot of afternoons at the track while supposedly in class. Not one to miss a good day of racing--no matter the reason--he scheduled all of his lectures at the University of Kentucky to be done by noon...

[ Read More ]
Cody's Wish Wins 2022 Secretariat Vox Populi Award

Edited Press Release Cody's Wish (Curlin), this year's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner who shares an endearing bond with Cody Dorman, has been voted the winner of the 2022 Secretariat Vox Populi Award. Created by Secretariat's owner Penny Chenery, the annual award recognizes the horse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the public and gained recognition for Thoroughbred racing. Owned by Godolphin, trained by Bill Mott, and ridden throughout the year by Junior Alvarado, Cody's Wish and his special story have gained affection and admiration that transcend...

[ Read More ]
Voting Now Open for 2022 Secretariat 'Vox Populi' Award

Online voting is now open to select the winner of the 13th annual Secretariat Vox Populi Award. Created by Secretariat's late owner Penny Chenery, the Vox Populi, or "Voice of the People" award recognizes the racehorse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the public and gained recognition for the sport during the past year. Fans can vote in the online poll at Secretariat.com for one of three nominees selected by the Vox Populi Committee. Voters also have the option to write in a racehorse of their choice. The...

[ Read More ]
Turcotte: Secretariat Was Better

Secretariat vs. Flightline (Tapit): Who was better? "I think Secretariat would have beat him," Secretariat's jockey Ron Turcotte said of a hypothetical match up between the two legendary horses. "That's no knock against the other horse. He's a beautiful horse. Well put together. I can't fault him in any way. But he has hasn't done enough for me to say he is better than Secretariat." That's not to say that Turcotte isn't a Flightline fan. "He's a fabulous horse," he said. "We don't know how fast he could run." Turcotte,...

[ Read More ]
X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.