SECRETARIAT - 1973 Kentucky Derby (Alternate Footage)

[blackcloudipoy]

Andrew Beyer said that the track was a full second slower than it was the day Northern Dancer ran his record 2:00. Too bad we didn't see 1:58 2/5......or did we?

[leopold1747]

Secretariat starts last, goes wide at the top of the stretch, and still wins the race in record time. What a horse!

[Unintensify]

Im guessing Secretariat ate ground for breakfast, not the average Wheaties...

[5inthehole]

Funny thing I just noticed after seeing this video for,oh, about 1000 times. Around the far turn, Turcotte is using his stick to no avail. When he finally stops using it Secretariat takes off and puts distance between himself and the place horse. Tell me this horse didn't have a special sense....

[bbmtge]

@5inthehole Actually, the whip is in his left hand, by design, to prevent the horse from reacting and moving in on Sham. He's popping Sec on the flank with his hand; really telling him that they have it keep going as the horse had not been 1 1/4 miles prior to the KD.

[RAV52]

Even watching it today it seems impossible that a horse can run that way...Namely, FASTER and FARTHER than the rest simultaneously... Simply defies explanation.

[bbmtge]

I'm taking bets on the actual distance Sec ran in this race. He had to have run an addiotnal 1/16 of a mile in the least.

[SherryBucher]

Great video, one of my faves. But, I'd love to see a video like this, only 'longer'... with just a little of his history at the beginning and lots more at the ending.... comments immediately after the race/win, etc..... !!! When I watched this on TV, I cried... almost had a heart attack|!! I'd have married this horse if he'd have had me!

[bon1042]

You can see it at 1:43 the acceleration into another gear. Turcotte wondered at one point, maybe just before he kicked it into high gear, if Secretariat cld keep this up. He was half way there, going faster each 1/4. Thirteen horses in race, so he had passed 7 at that point (?), he making 8, now in 6th place and 5 up front to swallow up.

[ebcebcebc123123123]

it's fairly widely agreed that Secretariat had a significant something in the tank when he crossed the finish line. certainly Turcotte barely if ever touched the whip. meanwhile Sham's jockey is pounding the horses's ribs for all he's got while Secretariat downshifts into cruise control and smashes a record that stands to this day. amazing!

[blackcloudipoy]

Andrew Beyer gave Secretariat a speed figure of 129 for this race. As he studied all the Derby races and track conditions through the years, he found that Secretariat ran the Derby with track conditions a full second slower than than the track conditions when Northern Dancer ran his record of 2:00. You know what than means? With similar track conditions as Dancer, Big Red runs the Derby in 1:58 2/5!!! "Oh my gosh, Magnum!!!" Yet no one seems to break his 1:59 2/5 either! Oh well!

[bbmtge]

As further proof of Sec speed capability at 1 1/4 miles...his fraction in the Belmont at that distance was 1:59 flat...and he still had a quarter mile to go!!!

[blackcloudipoy]

The Marlboro Cup (1 1/8) he set a world record and then he eased off the pedal to hit the mile 1/4 mark in 1:57 4/5 which Spectacular Bid later tied which is the present day record for the mile 1/4.

[bbmtge]

@blackcloudipoy Actually, my good friend, Beyer stated that had the BSF been conceived when Sec ran (1975 is when the BSF started), Sec would have earned a 139 figure for the Belmont, the highest ever.

[eckythimble]

@bbmtge I wonder what rating Beyer would have given Sec for this Kentucky Derby? Smashing the race record of America's most famous race after starting last and running wide all the way has got to be worth a few points as well...!

[bbmtge]

@eckythimble The BSF does not account for position. Your point, however, is excellent. What Sec did in this race simply does not happen. He's 3 yrs and just over a month old; 1st time at 10 furlongs, 10th pp; breaks last; is wide for at least one mile, at times 4 wide, unmatched turn of foot; the ground made up from 3/4 to 1 1/4 is astounding...and..he had to do it to win. So many of Sec races are unique in their own way. Suffice it to say, he did things other horses did not and could not.

[jamecpa10]

amaizing horse, something to remember forever, that there was a horse with this amaizing talent, secretariat

[shellpen10]

Without Sec we would not have had General Assembly; AP Indy; Storm Cat; The Iron Lady; Terlingua; Smarty Jones; Risen Star and a multitude of others...Sec's true worth was in being a broodmare sire...he passed on the large heart factor through his daughters...How could you reproduce magic-lightning strikes once in one spot...SEC WAS IT!!!!

[ViewsFromABroad]

The cameraman had his attention caught by Secretariat. He actually centers the camera when Secretariat's energy bursts. The guy who filmed this knows horses and knew he was seeing something special, which is why we have this excellent record today. So, to the guy who was running that camera back in 1973, all I can say is, "Thanks." I was a kid when Secretariat won the Triple Crown, and no horse since has captured the heart of the nation like he did.

[MrOscarDaSilvaVieira]

Secretariat wasn't a dud at stud. Kingston Rule, sired by Sec, won the 1990 Melbourne Cup. At that time the richest horse race in the world. Like his sire's 1973 Kentucky Derby win - it's a record that still stands today

[tyrrath]

I don't like that this video starts with criticism of Secretariat as a sire. He couldn't produce a duplicate of himself because he is the 50-year Eclipse genetic throwback (his predecessor being Man O War). But without Sec, there would have been no Storm Cat and no A.P. Indy.

[blackcloudipoy]

As Secretariat makes his move on the backstretch you'll notice that one horse is trying to make a similar move along the rail. This horse is on the rail and just behind Secretariat going into the far turn and desperately wanting to stay on Big Red's heels as the horses make their moves on the turn heading for home. No avail. Like Nascar, I think they wanted to slingshot around Big Red.

[blackcloudipoy]

Secretariat, at the head of the stretch, was giving up so much to Sham, there's no way Sham should have lost this race. Secretariat is showing some amazing speed coming around the turn, as the other jockeys must have been dumbfounded, but when Turcotte took to the whip, the grandstand, from their angle, must have seen an acceleration like they've never seen before!!! You can see it in the video but their view must have been SPECTACULAR!!! No way Sham should lose this race. Only a SUPER HORSE!

[cf1970]

Hear, hear! Well said. Have a good day.

[michaelsacramone]

very few horses in history could have beaten sham at his best and no horse could beat secretariat as long as he doesnt have a cold or an abscessed tooth. i personally think man war would lose to sham. had man o war raced in 72 and sham around 1921, sham would have been considered the best horse ever and people would think of manowar like they do sham now. sham may have been the 2nd best horse ever.

[blackcloudipoy]

I have to agree with your comments. I also think if Man o War looked, physically, the way Seabiscuit did, but ran exactly the same way with the same results, he wouldn't be considered with Secretariat. I just think his majestic beauty added to his mystique. All races are different, of course, but if you just compare times, Secretariat would have won by many lengths. 15-18 in the Belmont most likely. Sec was 3 seconds faster at the mile 3/8 point (distance of the race when MOW won it).

[bon1042]

Part of the mystique of Man O'War in addition to his majesterial looks, is history. He was born in 1917, the yr the US entered WWI, thus possibly the warrior name. He started racing in 1920, the beginning of the first stock market age including the masses, the excitement of the Jazz Age and first huge consumer economy, the Model T. Add all that to winning the first world war, a magnificent chestnut horse that all the people enjoyed, and there you have it, the Myth of Man O'War.

[jimjoyce25]

The only comparison that comes to mind is the anchor leg run by Bob Hates in the 4 x 100 meter relay in Tokyo 1964. It's hard to tell speed around a curve on videotape, but to make up that kind of ground on the turn from the outside is just staggering, man or horse.

[blackcloudipoy]

To watch this race, this footage, it's amazing to me to reflect on Turcotte's comments. Turcotte was saying that Secretariat was starting to run lighter on his feet (for lack of a better term) instead of pounding it as hard & that the horse was running so easy even as he was advancing on the backstretch. Just so amazing, inspiring. Turcotte seemed to have such a good feel for Secretariat.

[cf1970]

I totally agree. Turcotte was in awe at how light-footed Secretariat had become and he also stated, if I remember correctly, (my copy of Nack's book has been deemed lost after I borrowed it out; drives me crazy!) that it was a difficult task trying to gauge just how fast Big Red was going in the Derby because of his easy way of going. Once Ron figured him out completely, it was gravy. There could be no better match for the best horse of all time...those two were made for each other. Take care.

[tyrrath]

Love Ron Turcotte. In the Belmont, Ron hand-rode Secretariat all the way, turning around to see where all the other horses went, checking out the time clock, etc. There's that one fabulous photo of Sec approaching the finish, a big horsey grin on his face, as Turcotte looked incredulously into the camera. Stuff of legend.

[jess4metoo]

What great footage! Thank you!

[bon1042]

This is really good. I just watched it again trying to keep my eye on him. You DO get a real sense of that "relentless drive", as he moves up to sixth and then you can see him hunker forward again, moving ever faster to final 1/4 in 23 sec. !!

[cf1970]

Totally agree. It really does show his stealthy charge through the field better than the CBS footage. I love seeing the masses in the infield as well.

Wonderful to hear from you again! Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you!

[mitchblack]

Thank you very much for sharing this clip. Wonderful.

Mitch

[cf1970]

You're welcome, I'm happy to share it.

Take care.

[bon1042]

This really is great footage, probably the best we can get of his steady, each-quarter-faster run for those roses! thanks a dozen!

[cf1970]

Hi. Glad you enjoyed it!

It was a godsend to find this footage, believe me, and you're absolutely right, it does show his masterful advancement through the field in the most demonstrative way, that I've seen anyway.

You're very welcome. Take care.

[scrawneypaledude]

Where do you dig this stuff up, man? This post is too cool. Plain ole fashioned neat-o. Whatever dusty old trunk you scrounged around in to dig this up, I hope it still sits in your attic..........and contains MORE. Thanks.

[cf1970]

Hi. I was pretty lucky to come across this great footage. I hope to find more.

Thanks for watching and have a great day.

[bon1042]

cf, is there any footage anywhere showing his Derby fm the outside of track, rather than the infield view/direction. I'd love to see it fm the grandstand angle watching that relentless drive.

[cf1970]

Hi bon. Nice to hear from you. Hope all is well with you.

You bring up a very good question. Unfortunately, I've never heard of or seen any grandstand footage of this race. That angle sure would be something to see.

Thanks for stopping by.

[mooks2k]

Awesome, and SECRETARIAT did it all on his own. Turcotte only used the whip twice when they needed to catch Sham. In fact the only time whip was used,at least in triple crown. One amazing, miracle horse!

[cf1970]

Miracle horse is the perfect description for Big Red.

Secretariat seemed to be lollygagging when going wide into the stretch. When Turcotte went to the whip, that big choo-choo train still had plenty left in the tank.

I can only imagine how fast Secretariat really would have gone if he had not veered wide late and had a closer trip on the rail throughout.

Take care.

[bon1042]

Notice how your tape ends just as he starts to take off, as Whittaker said, "Secretariat still has a lot of fight and lick in him.."

[cf1970]

Yeah, darn it, that would have been nice to have in there. Big Red wasn't done with his power moves just yet!

[bon1042]

Nack said he took him wide to avoid a disqualification repeat in case he needed whip, didn't want him to veer into Sham, and T felt him lose a little momentum, hence whip. Also said if not for 2 wide turns he might have done 1:59 flat! Wow! If only!

[shellpen10]

CF-thank you for the most gracious invite...This is some footage...How could he produce a miracle....?? He was God's miracle at work..Something that the US could believe in when they needed it most...

[cf1970]

You're most welcome, shell. I'm honored to call you my friend.

Secretariat reproducing himself would have been a miracle indeed. Agreed, God definitely broke the mold when he made Big Red!

He certainly came at a most opportune time for the American public.

Have a blessed day!

[tatomka]

Awesome again cf. Watching Secretariat run is like what it must have been like to watch Van Gogh paint or Michelangelo sculpt. I love the tales of his retirement at Claiborne, where he would blaze across the meadows at such speeds that even the other horses would stop in their tracks and watch him, as if acknowledging their superior. Truly a "tremendous machine"!

[cf1970]

Happy you enjoyed it! Thank you.

Finding this rare footage of Big Red was a real joy.

Your comments are spot on. Wonderful analogy.

Take care.

[bon1042]

Hi tatomka, where did you read about "tales of his retirement at Claiborne..." I've run across a couple of recollections of visitors, but is there something in particular that you've read, an article for instance?

[tatomka]

Hello. Sorry, but I can't remember exactly where I read it. I remember looking at a lot of Secretariat books at different stores and also doing numerous google searches on him, but I can't specifically remember what I typed in. I'd try the obvious ones: secretariat retirement; secretariat claiborne, etc.. Good luck

[JugglingTed]

Good work! Thanks for adding it. Do you know if the 1973 Belmont Stakes with Secretariat winning is available anywhere with no music added and in clear understandable voice? It would be nice to watch.

[cf1970]

Thanks for the compliment, Ted. I appreciate it.

As for the '73 Belmont, other than olliefu's terrific video with Rudy music added, I know of no other such high quality video with just Chic Anderson's track call. Sorry.

Take care.

[davemock]

The best copy is on "Secretariat: An American Racing Legend," which has two versions - the kinescope of the CBS-TV coverage from NYRA and the clear videotape recording of the CBS call.

Actually, the best experience for me it was going to the Museum of Television and Radio (now the Paley Center) and seeing the actual full broadcast. Hearing Chic Anderson, Jack Whitaker and Frank Wright in stunned amazement after Big Red's romp was worth the trip.

[bon1042]

Where can you see the CBS coverage fm NYRA or the CBS videotape, is it on internet anywhere, NYRA website? Or is it on the video/DVD Life and Times of Secretariat?

[davemock]

Apart from the race itself which is on YouTube, the video "Life and Times of Secretariat: An American Racing Legend" and the NYRA website, the only place I've ever seen the full show is the Paley Center in New York (they probably also have a copy at the Paley Center in Beverly Hills). I've never seen the rest of the broadcast anywhere else, even ESPN Classic...though I've read of someone who has the full '73 Triple Crown broadcasts and is shopping it around on the web. Unsure who.

[ruffian72]

Thank you for another amazing video of the great Secretariat!

[cf1970]

Glad you liked it! Thank YOU for your continued support. :-D