Ronnie Turcotte told the best Secretariat story...when they were entering the far turn at Belmont, its dead quiet out there...and he could tell the big colt was really putting out an effort....and that with every powerful stride, Secretariat was literally “growling”...he said he talked in his ear “that’s it Red, nice and steady boy” over and over. There were still quite a few doubters before his Belmont Stakes that day, and it was if the horse was literally saying..”Ok, you pr$#@ks wanna see something??...watch this!!”...a performance for the ages,... never be equaled.
I know plenty of horse guys and your recollection about Secretariat at the Belmont has been echoed in many ways. They wax poetics as if it happened yesterday.
Certain great moments have stayed with me over time and sadly the bad but as far as those positives:
Affirmed-Alydar
Blame beating Zenyatta in the BC Classic (I was a big Garrett Gomez fan and to see him lifted off the track on a stretcher two days prior was the equal of being beaned in baseball, hospitalized and then hitting the game-winning HR two days later)
Carl Nafzger and Mrs. G. at the 1990 Kentucky Derby with Unbridled.
Afleet Alex’s Preakness and Belmont runs.
Too many to list but Secretariat in 1973 was not only inspiring it was legendary.