1973 Preakness: Secretariat's Daring Move
May 7, 2014 23:32:42 GMT -5
Post by Jon on May 7, 2014 23:32:42 GMT -5
SECRETARIAT’S DARING MOVE, 1973
by Scott Jagow
PR
No matter what happens at the finish line, the Preakness always begins with the hope that we might bear witness to a chapter in a story for all time. Whether the day ends with the renewed dream of a Triple Crown winner or not, the Preakness rarely disappoints as a sporting event.
In the days leading up to the 139th running, we’ll be looking back at some of the great performances, thrilling finishes, and unusual moments in Preakness history.
In the annals of the race, one name stands above all. While Secretariat’s Triple Crown is best remembered for his 31-length victory in the Belmont, it was the Preakness that first put him in rarified air.
The race began as expected, with Big Red dropping back to last in the six-horse field and surely settling in for a sweeping move late in the race. Jockey Ron Turcotte had other ideas.
“The pace was slow, and my horse was running,” Turcotte recalled afterwards.
The chart caller described what Turcotte did next: ”(Secretariat) was guided outside two rivals entering the clubhouse turn and responding when Turcotte moved his hands on the reins, made a spectacular run to take command entering the backstretch.”
In a lightning quick move, Secretariat swept by the field on the first turn.
“I wanted to slow him down a little bit, but he was determined to go on,” Turcotte said. “So I figured, well, he’s won on the lead before, and if that’s the way he wants to do it, I guess I ain’t going to argue with him.”
George Cusimano, who was aboard frontrunner Ecole Etage, said it sounded like a freight train was coming up on his outside. After seizing command, Secretariat was hand-ridden to victory in the stretch and left no room for debate.
What was debated (for days and decades later) was his final time. The electronic timer’s recording of 1:55 was eventually thrown out but it wasn’t until June 2012, using modern technology, that Secretariat’s time was officially declared 1:53 flat, a Preakness record, giving him the fastest time in all three Triple Crown races.
Record or not, “the move” was one for the ages.
by Scott Jagow
PR
No matter what happens at the finish line, the Preakness always begins with the hope that we might bear witness to a chapter in a story for all time. Whether the day ends with the renewed dream of a Triple Crown winner or not, the Preakness rarely disappoints as a sporting event.
In the days leading up to the 139th running, we’ll be looking back at some of the great performances, thrilling finishes, and unusual moments in Preakness history.
In the annals of the race, one name stands above all. While Secretariat’s Triple Crown is best remembered for his 31-length victory in the Belmont, it was the Preakness that first put him in rarified air.
The race began as expected, with Big Red dropping back to last in the six-horse field and surely settling in for a sweeping move late in the race. Jockey Ron Turcotte had other ideas.
“The pace was slow, and my horse was running,” Turcotte recalled afterwards.
The chart caller described what Turcotte did next: ”(Secretariat) was guided outside two rivals entering the clubhouse turn and responding when Turcotte moved his hands on the reins, made a spectacular run to take command entering the backstretch.”
In a lightning quick move, Secretariat swept by the field on the first turn.
“I wanted to slow him down a little bit, but he was determined to go on,” Turcotte said. “So I figured, well, he’s won on the lead before, and if that’s the way he wants to do it, I guess I ain’t going to argue with him.”
George Cusimano, who was aboard frontrunner Ecole Etage, said it sounded like a freight train was coming up on his outside. After seizing command, Secretariat was hand-ridden to victory in the stretch and left no room for debate.
What was debated (for days and decades later) was his final time. The electronic timer’s recording of 1:55 was eventually thrown out but it wasn’t until June 2012, using modern technology, that Secretariat’s time was officially declared 1:53 flat, a Preakness record, giving him the fastest time in all three Triple Crown races.
Record or not, “the move” was one for the ages.
