As the Belmont Stakes is but 2 days away it's time to remember the greatest horse of all time and his amazing 1973 Belmont Stakes race ( I still weep every time I see it) when he won by an astounding 31 lengths. Secretariat was, is, and will always be the best thoroughbred of all time - bar none. But more importantly, he was beauty in its truest form and watching him in action is akin to drinking nectar from the gods. Secretariat was perfection, he was dignity, he was grace, he was that spirit we should all aspire to.
It's important to note that during his Triple Crown season he broke records in every one of the races - records that still stand 30 plus years later.
Below are some great videos of "Big Red" - you should watch each and every one of them. And, if you don't get a lump in your throat or a tear in your eye watching this horse, especially his Belmont race, you have no soul. He was truly a gift from the gods and he is indeed a work of art, as much as anything hanging in any gallery or museum. Enjoy watching the artistry that is Secretariat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0_7el4ZIL4&NR=1 (lovely tribute with music)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl-IVl-UGE4&feature=related (wonderful piece with Penny Chenery - Secretariat's owner - input as well as jockey and industry input - shows his Derby run and, of course, the Belmont)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zHvR7K1btQ&feature=related (great video - includes Belmont Stakes post parade and after the race)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBTGvi1hWQ4&feature=related (Secretariat's Triple Crown - Part 1 - Sportscentury - this is a must view)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-KvaeuIIsw&feature=related (Secretariat's Triple Crown - Part 2 - Sportscentury - this is a must view)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyqllleV6WA (his Kentucky Derby - remember he ran each quarter faster than the previous - his time still stands today and will never be broken)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEOlWDz2KBw (his Preakness - not so fond of the music but the footage is great)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIH1cJqlVKU (another view of his Preakness - some stuff at the beginning of the video, then the race, then the whole time controversy where Secretariat got screwed by the Maryland Racing Officials - however, his time still stands as the "official" time has been tied, never broken. Anyone who views the footage and knows anything knows that "Big Red" ran faster than he was credited and it is deplorable what the Maryland officials did)
http://www.iviewtube.com/videos/200/secretariat-1973-belmont-stakes (his Belmont. A ad will pop up - just close it and continue to enjoy the race. Even though the race announcer says he won by 25 lenghts it was really 31 lengths as has been documented. Also, he does the 1 1/2 mie race is 2:24 - beyond incredible, amazing, whatever word you want to use it was unfriggingbelievable. Shows some post race footage at well)
http://www.iviewtube.com/v/199/secretariat-1973-triple-crown-winner (another view - in color - some really nice images following the race of him running free just for the pure joy of running, etc - worth viewing even though you just viewed the previous clip)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02IRNl1jrws&feature=related (his last race - the 1973 Canadian International)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1xW9YqPKS8 (another view of his last race with some nice closeups and front views. The only thing that really upsets me about this race is that Eddie Maple - his regular rider, Ron Turcotte, was unable to ride that day due to a technicality - whipped him - he didn't need to be whipped and Maple knew that)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O57qMR45Y1o&feature=related (just running around in the field, having fun. Absolute joy and poetry in motion)
