Bill Nack on Secretariat. Part 1/4: The early years

[@lpzgrv2010]

I had the honor of meeting Mr. Nack at the Kentucky Horse Park several years ago during a Secretariat event. He was such a wonderful man to speak to about Big Red. RIP Bil Nack. I know the first thing you did on the other side was to find your old friend Secretariat.

[@jm1657]

What a nice thought. I hope the Secretariat gang is having a ball together in the Great Above 🌈🌟

[@carariela]

Amen🙏✝️🙏🐴

[@deansdesigns]

I love reading and learning about this fabulous animal. Truly, after listening, the mental and athletic abilities are not too far off from my Olympic caliber daughter.

[@Trampus002]

He was the man. He loved racing, and he especially loved Secretariat. Honest reporting.

[@piperdawn7]

The best biographer for Secretariat! Bill Nack LOVED Secretariat. Thank you Bill.

[@johnonda6057]

William Nack was one of the finest writers to cover horse racing. He truly loved the horses and the racing industry. He was the writer who tried to dash across the racetrack at Pimilico the moment after Ruffian broke down in the Match Race with Foolish Pleasure in 1975. There is video of Mr. Nack nearly getting run over by Foolish Pleasure as he finished the race. Mr. Nack loved racing, however, he admitted himself that seeing Ruffian break down and her subsequent death soured him on the sport. His human nature just loved the horses too much, he decided not to continue covering horse racing, since the death of Ruffian hit him very hard. He was a fine man, well spoken and most certainly, well written.

[@kenduffy5397]

Hear - Hear! Well said John, well said. He was also a GREAT human being end-stop-period!

[@pamshewan9181]

I felt the same.

[@lucybarrington4634]

I appreciate hearing this story about William Nack. I love Secretariat but I don’t love the sport and Ruffian’s story is heartbreaking.

[@lynngregory393]

Secretariat was the best thing about the Seventies. Thank you, Mr. Nack, for your love of Secretariat.

[@boxelder9147]

No. The bee gees

[@jm1657]

@@boxelder9147 lol!

[@RissaFirecat]

@@boxelder9147 Secretariat was God's horse.

[@boxelder9147]

@@RissaFirecat all of us are God's. Wether a tree, a dog, a cat, a blade of grass. I know you like horsies, Secretariat in particular (I presume) but what is your point?

[@RissaFirecat]

@@boxelder9147 he was given to us because God loves horses. He was something special that we got the privilege to see. I was lucky enough to have seen him run that triple crown. I have never seen another horse even come close to the impressive beauty of his joy in running. He was God's horse.

[@janetgallo5720]

I love to hear this story. Anything about secretariat makes my heart patter and my eyes cry

[@kenduffy5397]

My favourite sports writer of all time! For such a brilliant man (& YES he was brilliant) he also had this wonderful way of mixing intellect with just being a regular guy. A brilliant wordsmith! Not was he only smart, nice, and kind? He was no coward! As evidenced by him volunteering for the Army after graduate school & being involved in the Ted Offensive! To say that Bill Nack was a great scholar & great soldier would be an understatement! William Nack was a GREAT human being! A mixture of intellectual, pragmatism kindness, bravery, and a sense of hope for our youth! Thank you William Nack for being a beam of hope in an otherwise dark world! RIP Billy, lol We all know that you’re hanging out with your old buddy Secretariat! God bless ya Bill!

[@irenedavis6633]

What an honor you wrote of him. I feel the same way about him.

[@kenduffy5397]

@@irenedavis6633 Thank you Irene for taking the time out of your day to write me such a kind compliment. Good luck in all of your endeavors Irene Davis. Kenneth L. Duffy

[@kiltedwolf2]

Sometime in the late '70s, Sports Illustrated put out an article called "Secretariat and me" by Ron Turcotte. Of course Ron was the jockey on Big Red during his fabled Triple Crown run in '73. I watched that series as a young man. When the article came out, I cut it out of the magazine and put it on a bulletin board where it remained for the next 40+ years. Every now and then I'd read it, reveling in Ron Turcotte's account of the world's greatest horse. Sadly, Turcotte had an accident in '78 which left him paralyzed yet his love for Secretariat never wavered. He often would visit the horse as he roamed the pastures of Claiborne Farm. When he showed up, Big Red always remembered him. The horse would stick his tongue out and Turcotte would "shake" it. It was such a touching article. I discovered that my dentist of the past 5 years virtually worshipped horses and the Old West. He had pictures of horses and cowboys scattered all through out his office. He even wore cowboy boots to work. I knew he'd enjoy the article on Secretariat and Ron Turcotte so I decided to give it to him. Sure enough, he found it every bit as entertaining as I did. The magic between a mercurial horse and his rider is something special. I made the right choice.

[@kenduffy5397]

I don’t think the average person realizes just how extremely dangerous it is to be a Jockey. I worked in a Nursing Home & there was this little guy who could talk & walk (had a bit of a temper. But who wouldn’t? Being stuck in a Nursing Home in your 30s) laugh but he had a terrible accident during a race & he wasn’t paralyzed, he had brain damage. So he couldn’t remember & he hardly spoke about his career as a professional Jockey. The point is: being a professional Thoroughbred horse 🐎 Jockey is a VERY dangerous job!

[@internetpeople6113]

If you are Secretariat fan, you have to love Mr. Nack. The love he has for the Big Red is evident in every word he utters.

[@JoeyHedrick]

I love hearing Bill talk about Big Red. There is a genuine affection there that you can't fake.

[@conniecooley5542]

This makes me cry

[@definitelyjustcj4148]

He is a very stern man when he talks but when he reflects on Secretariat he's just like a kid telling everyone about how cool Secretariat is I love it

[@krazy8chris670]

All these years every detail like it was yesterday. Secretariat was just wonderful. And I watch his races almost every morning for my feel good.

[@linnie8937]

Me too!!!

[@conniecooley5542]

I know Mr Nack is somehow close to Secretariat is heaven. Such a pair, these two.

[@halwarner3326]

Secretariat.....One word, that's all you need to know. Legendary.

[@jl-b2830]

What about his foals?

[@makula5543]

@@jl-b2830 He top 1% sire. Michael Jordan have any NBA sons? Nope. Greatness is rare

[@stevefowler2112]

RIP Mr. Nack...the world was a better place when you were in it.

[@DavidTrevino-o3n]

I had the honor of seeing Secretariat race at the Kentucky Derby - what a beautiful and awesome athlete - there may never be another horse like Secretariat❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@2011leoc]

Mr Nack, What a wonderful story teller! Rip sir! What a kind way of unfolding a great piece of history! Thank you sir!

[@juliamartin4141]

Secretariat’s legend lives. All three year old’s in this weird year of 2020’s Belmont Stakes were descendants of Secretariat. Amazing

[@johnforeman634]

I love listening to Mr Nack. He has such a wonderful way of telling a story. Especially when he’s talking about Big Red. I’m going to get a nice big framed picture of Ron turning to look back on the home stretch of the Belmont. That is an awesome photo.

[@BethPeters-c4e]

He's will never be duplicated. Everything went perfect

[@BethPeters-c4e]

Bill loves Secretariat. I love hearing him talk forever about my favorite horse. Secretariat

[@bishlap]

Bill Nack is the best - all class. Thank you, Bill Nack

[@irenedavis6633]

Bill Nack was a great wordsmith, wrote like a poet, and was a great speaker and admirer of Secretariat.

[@frankvignola2289]

Tremendous story of the early history of the great one. Thank you so much

[@woodman6176]

Recently watched Secretariat for the 3rd time. What a horse and story! Mr Bill Beautifully chronicled it. What a writer!

[@LightningJanitorial]

I love Mr. Nack, and especially his enthusiasm for horse racing. Ive been going to the races since I was 13 in 1988. A lot has changed in the sport, and unfortunately its popularity has declined, but Bill Nack is still around. Much like I heard him say in another interview, he truly IS a keeper of the flame for a majestic sport thats been forgotten. God bless you Mr. Nack, and watching u talk about horses always gets me amped up about thoroughbred racing.

[@bon1042]

THIS is how the movie should have started.... chilly night in March... real drama. And THEN follow the book 100 % I hope American Experience or Ken Burns does the story and does it right !!

[@turtleonahottinroof8734]

The movie, as a fan from 1973 (the first Triple Crown I remember watching), and the book, and I visited Claiborne near the end, and just the romanticism of living that, I was so disappointed in the movie. Objectively, especially after watching with others who loved it, I recommend it, but... Thanks, Mr. Nack.

[@Trampus002]

It’s hard to understand how the real story wouldn’t have been more wonderful. The movie was good, but lacked truth in various ways. Secretariat’s story didn’t need embellishments.

[@GBeret83]

1973 Belmont Stakes. NO HORSE. That's the pinnacle as far as being the greatest individual performance ever put forth on a racetrack by any horse, and I don't think it will ever be matched in anyone's lifetime. It was God showing off in equine form that day. He was actually the jockey and held the reigns that day. Ronnie Turcotte just happened to be on Secretariat's back along for the ride!! But that's just one man's opinion.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

It must have been frightening , exciting & the thrill of a lifetime to have been on his back that day 🏇

[@captainamericaamerica8090]

NO

[@albertrodriguez4190]

On the mark. I can visualize Him as I read your words

[@Psyfi85]

@@juniorjohnson5961 Same with Preakness, that first turn explosion to catch Ecole Etage then never relinquished the lead. Turncotte must have been literally on the edge of his seat. 😅

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

Secretariat's Belmont was the first thoroughbred race I had ever watched. It left quite an impression.

[@turtleonahottinroof8734]

I was born January 1968. My mom watched every year, reportedly, with me. I vaguely remembering Riva Ridge, the name more than the race, but Secretariat?

[@TimesUp777]

And you never saw a race like that again!!

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

@@TimesUp777 Landaluce impressed me more and Flightline is in another universe.

[@TimesUp777]

@@raygordonteacheschess5501 Flightline raced 6 times in 18 months pal. SECRETARIAT raced that many tumes in less then 6 month's. Secretariat has the fastest Beyer speed record ever. Enough said.

[@GBeret83]

I was a Green Beret for 15 years. Retired now, but once you've served in Special Forces, you're a Green Beret for life. Thanks for saying that. But I always tell people there's no need to thank me for my service to my country. Because America is my country, too.

[@stayathome123]

Mr. Nack, Thank you again for autographing my book last year at the Secretariat Festival!

[@ldbigg]

"Secretariat by Bill Nack is what I just started reading. "The Horse That God Built" by Lawrence Scanlan shows the love between Secretariat and his groom Eddie Sweat.

[@turtleonahottinroof8734]

👍👍 I loved that book, too! Completely different perspective and, more importantly, one I didn't know of. The picture of Secretariat 'holding' Mr. Sweat's pocket in the plane.. that's how I think of Secretariat now when I'm not watching him run.

[@judyvareberg2275]

Yes Bill Nack was the greatest. He really told the story about Secretariat. And when he says in the documentary Secretariat looked like the executioner that day going to the gallows and he was about to dispatch somebody I love that.

[@dougj7295]

Such a great spokeman for horse racing and of course, Secretariat.

[@Stacat69]

BILL, I THINK YOU ARE THE GREATEST SPORTSWRITER OF ALL TIME. I LOVE ALL YOUR COMMENTARIES ON EVERY HORSE YOU HAVE EVER COVERED. I JUST HOPE THERE WILL BE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR GREAT LIFE AS A THOROUGHBRED HORSE RACING SPORTSWRITER.I ALSO LIKE HOW YOU STOOD UP TO THE RACING WORLD AFTER WHAT HAPPENED TO RUFFIAN, IF IT WERENT FOR U NOTHING WOULD HAVE PROBABLY BEEN DONE TO PROTECT HORSES...I LOVE HOW IT USED TO BE WHEN SECRETARIAT RAN, THEN SOMEHOW IT WAS MORE SHORTCUTS IN BREEDING. WELOVEYA!!

[@beckytyler4434]

This was so interesting. Thank you so much for posting

[@yes350yes]

Always loved listening to Bill Nack talk. In the citation vs secretariat comparison video eddie arcaro said that he never let citation run, but did say that on that day in the belmont no horse could have beaten secretariat.

[@turtleonahottinroof8734]

His voice.. like Shelby Foote on the Civil War or Keith Morrison on Dateline.. 🤫 Miss his voice the first Saturday in May...

[@elaine31347]

@WMJCPA I am reading the book now and I totally agree....His blow by blow descriptions of Secretariats races left me breathless. What a wonderful writer!

[@turtleonahottinroof8734]

I've always wondered how he got the access..? That sealed his reputation for me.

[@virghammer1]

Such Kool beanz, Bill! Thx so much for posting this ... Secretariat = HERO ... And YOU WERE AN ENVIROMENTAL NEWSWRITER?! RESPECT. Thank you for all this, - VCH & Midlantic Theatre Co., Newark ,NJ

[@albertrodriguez4190]

The best machine I've ever seen

[@gh9111]

Bill Nack was a fine steward in the Secretariat storytelling.

[@chrisl4451]

Watching part 2 of 4 now. This is a fantastic interview.. thank you so much.

[@sulatlalaki]

Jeez Louise, there's an awful lot of pride churning in these comments here! Let Secretariat's stats speak for themselves. In over 37 years, no horse has even come remotely close to Big Red's margin of victory as in that illustrious, 1973 Belmont Stakes victory, where he TROUNCED the competition!! As Big Red crossed the finish line, it looked as if he was racing by himself!

[@turtleonahottinroof8734]

I get chocked up still watching the Belmont. Every time. Stats are great for fans, romanticism brings new fans to the sport.

[@guysolis5843]

Amazing accounting...thanks for that!

[@Don-md6wn]

RIP Mr. Nack.

[@makula5543]

Wonderful man and highly intelligent

[@brigittegilroy2882]

I love Secretariat...I was 12 at the time

[@elwoodblues6663]

great interview

[@fungoorstitch]

No racehorse in history even comes close to looking like Secretariat did. I saw him, and the muscles, the coat, the proportions, the awareness in his eyes - he looked like fluid stone. If there were a god of horses, this was him. (Incidentally, if there were a goddess of horses), that was Zenyatta.

[@lisadalessandro3396]

Love Bill Nack.

[@augnatl123]

Fascinating information!! So interesting.

[@Struwwel2]

"you do the math, it turns out Secretariat, as a young three year old, untested, was worth three times his weight in gold."

[@Canyon2023]

Can't wait to try this!!! Will be cooking this next - looks soooo good!!

[@kenduffy5397]

I only wish Bill Nack was still with us because this being the 50th year anniversary of Secretariat triple crown win! William was only 77 when he passed? That’s considered young for today’s standards! Well, I was born April 14th 1972 & yes I was alive but I don’t remember watching Secretariat race lol. My parents who were not horse people or any other sports fans. However, my mother & father always told me and my 3 sisters that there wasn’t & never will be another horse like Secretariat! According to my Dad, Secretariat was the greatest horse that has ever lived, period! So my assumption would be, that both of my parents got caught up in the Secretariat craze as most Americans did at that time regardless if you were rich, middle-class or poor the entire Country was captivated by this harmless creature! (As William says: Secretariat brought out honesty, innocence, pureness, competitiveness that was hard to find in the 70s) After watching all of Secretariat’s races, I totally get it! Unlike my parents, I am a sports fan. Hockey, Baseball and Thoroughbred racing. I love thoroughbred racing just for the sport of it! (I was at a Kentucky Derby party once back in the early 90s & I did bet, hmm… 1 buck or maybe it was 5 bucks? I can’t remember? But they put all the numbers of the horses in a hat & whatever number I drew out of the hat was my horse) So to say I never bet on a horse race isn’t 100% honest, but that was the only time. Nor did I ever go in an OTB in my life. I just love the sport of horse racing! I love watching these wonderful massive masculine athletes running to win the race! (I’m a diehard hockey fan) I’m a NY Islanders fan to boot! So when I hear William Nack talking about Newsday and Long Island & working for Suffolk County myself. I can TOTALLY relate to William Nack’s boredom sitting in Town & County counsel meetings is like getting root canal done! RIP Mr Nack

[@kimheinz6250]

Secretariat is the most awesome horse😊, whos😮 hooves ever touched this planet,!!😮

[@nickyseccia3478]

Rip Mr nack who really introduced a great legendary racehorse Secretariat to spread the really greatness horse because of Mr nacks great person. Rip Mr nack and rip Secretariat thanks for the greatness of spread

[@michelleturner8979]

RIP Mr. Nack Secretariat historian.

[@mickey120642]

one of the 3 greatest thoroughbreds i ever saw in person

[@tikizia1981]

Thanks for all the things ive learned from u and others, so knowledgeable people, Ijust loved the movie, is not gonna always be 100% acccurate, !!!!!

[@turtleonahottinroof8734]

His book..!

[@TheProfessorOfLife]

I apologize. I did indeed misread your initial posting. And yes, Pancho was happy that Sham defeated Secretariat in the Wood Memorial, even though Sham finished second to Angle Light (who was, incidently, trained by Lucien Laurin). Also, I believe that Secretariat was the greatest thoroughbred horse that has ever lived. My opinion about the Disney movie was not meant to take anything away from Secretariat's legendary accomplishments. It was meant as a knock against the producers of the movie.

[@lisadalessandro3396]

Love love llistening to him talk about Secretariat. Gods Perfect Horse. You will never see the likes a horse like this ever again.

[@kenkal1829]

Big red was a great horse for a few years, but he could not compare to Kelso, Forego or John Henry among a few others! They were truly great "race" horses! Excellence over time equals genuine "greatness"!!

[@marysueeasteregg]

Ken Kall I agree with you (to an extent), which is why I was hoping the next Triple Crown winner would be a gelding. I wish it even more after Justify's retirement. I will gnash my teeth the day that horse enters the Hall of Fame, with his 6 race career. I'd far rather see Wise Dan and Game On Dude get in.

[@kenkal1829]

@@marysueeasteregg He should be in a category of horses with less than 10 or 20 starts lifetime! The really great ones are in a class all their own! What extent? Sounds like you totally agree!!!

[@Iamalwaysgodschild]

I love this video. :) thanks for making it

[@theshouldersman]

Love Bill Back could listen to him talk about horses for hours maybe even days. Oh and another thing SECRETARIAT WAS NOT ON STEROIDS

[@southpaw3sox635]

....Three times his weight i gold!!!!! I believe that.

[@michelinekribs9563]

My family and I watched Secretariet win the triple crown in 1973, I loved the movie becasuse its the only one I have of Secratariet. Yes,movies are entertainment,Ithink Secratariet was the best triple crown winner of all time. Rest on Peace Big Red with your famous sire Bold Ruler,your damn Something Royal,Sham,EightBelles,Man O War Seabiscuit, and way too many to list.Micheline Kribs

[@johnhallett5846]

Get the book. It is a truly great read

[@parkerbohnn]

Bill Nack says forget Secretariat because the greatest horse of all time and the greatest bred horse of all times has just began to re-write all the record books. Yes Jaya Bae formerly known as Kadena is what the world has been waiting for since the first horse was born even before the days of Adam and Eve. Out of the first crop of Walner bred to the "freak of nature" Mission Brief Walner - Mission Brief - Muscle Hill

[@gruntforever7437]

wow you really need to stop smoking so much weed or whatever you are taking

[@bbmtge]

For someone who had a propensity to hyperbole and a somewhat halting, almost stammering verbal presentation Nack's writing style was brilliant.

[@tallyho96]

Been there. Haven't don't that. Wonderful to learn ...

[@dianeott729]

A Great book to read about Secretariat is “The Horse That God Built”.

[@MrLew1965]

Mr. Nack..You are a very intelligent well spoken individual ! I would love to meet you one day and talk about Secretariat ! I can only wish !

[@marysueeasteregg]

A favorite fantasy of mine, too. But Bill Nack died in April 2018. : (

[@theshouldersman]

@tikizia1981 it could be a production mistake but that actually did happen. Everyone wanted to beat Secretariat so he was happy and Big Res was the biggest thing since Man O War in 1920

[@jl-b2830]

Wasn't Man o War also known as Big Red?

[@linnie8937]

I love this!!!!! ❤️❤️

[@bon1042]

this isn't about maternal love. No, I'm not a mother, never had children, it's irrelevant. Read Nack's bio. Truth is Penny's marriage ultimately came to an end. Penny Chenery took over situation where her siblings were against her. They wld've sold everything and be done with it. It's a wonderful that she instinctively thought breeding Bold Ruler to Something Royal cld and ultimately DID produce a combination of great strength and stamina combined with speed.

[@janetdoran472]

No one should care that "most of the movie was pure fiction." Movies are ENTERTAINMENT documentaries are based on fact. If you watch Bill Nack, who ,by the way, knew Secretariat, the movie captured the main events of this magnificent animals life. Around it the director created a spiritual atmosphere which he thought explained the unusual qualities and accomplishments of an animal who's like has never been seen before or since. Was it an accident that Mrs.Tweety had uncanny faith in this horse?

[@TheProfessorOfLife]

It's an insult to Bill Nack that Disney claimed Nack's "Secretariat" book as their reference for the movie, but most of the movie is pure FICTION. Not a WORD mentioned in the movie about Riva Ridge, who actually saved Meadow Farm from extinction. John Malkovich as Lucien Laurin? Laughable at best. Disney also screwed up most of the "timelines", such as when Penny Tweedy became heavily involved in Meadow Farm. The list of "errors" is almost as long as the movie itself.

[@bjishername]

TheProfessorOfLife So you know everything but mistakes were made because Secretariat was a heavenly horse. Ms. Tweedy divorced Mr. Chenery (not sure about the spelling) syndicating Secretariat in the end.

[@marysueeasteregg]

@@bjishername Chenery was Penny's MAIDEN name. Christopher Chenery was her father, the founder of Meadow Stable and (at least technically, as Somethingroyal's owner) Secretariat's breeder. TheProfessorOfLife is correct that the Disney film was highly inaccurate from a historical viewpoint.

[@chirelle.alanalooney8609]

JUST YOU TELL ME EXACTLY HOW RIVA RIDGE SAVED MEADOW FARM ! I'D REALLY LOVE TO HEAR THAT ONE. THAT'S A FANTASY STORY IF I EVER HEARD ONE. JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE FOOLING, YOU FOOLISH IDIOT !!!!!

[@chirelle.alanalooney8609]

IT WAS SELLING THE SHARES OF SECRETARIAT FOR $ 6.80 MILLION DOLLARS THAT SAVED THE MEADOW FARM !! IT WAS NOT RIVA RIDGE THAT SAVED THE FARM.

[@chirelle.alanalooney8609]

RIVA RIDGE DID NOT SAVE THE FARM. SECRETARIAT WAS THE ONE THAT SAVED THE FARM, AND IT GOT THE IRS OFF OF PENNY'S NECK, AND BACK, THAT WERE HOUNDING HER FOR THE ESTATE TAXES.

[@bon1042]

except they made the story up. yes, it's not supposed to be a documentary, but it shld've been Secretariat's story, concentrated on his growth and development wrapped up into a story. cld've been done. Penny wasn't all upset at being away fm her family, other than concern of course. She was her father's daughter, the one who had the interest and love. She dove in, read and learned all she could and asked for advice and help where needed.

[@Angus_Gibson]

The reason why he had a less-than-perfect career is because he was handled by flawed human beings. ;)

[@TheProfessorOfLife]

The Kentucky Derby is held at Churchill Downs, not Aquaduct. As for the Disney movie, "Secretariat", about 80% of it is pure fiction. It would take me all day to list all of the factual errors, embellishments, and things that never happened. A really nice "feel good" movie, but mostly a work of fiction.

[@kwgrid]

Ya know, I've read all the critiques about his so-called failure as a stallion because he didn't come close to reproducing himself although he was great brood-mare sire. I looked up the progeny records of dozens of really great horses, including Triple Crown winners, and they didn't do any better so lay off of Secretariat on that score. mho

[@stayathome123]

Big Red's #1 fan gets here first... cool.... wonderful series, videos

[@bon1042]

as Penny herself said..... it's Hollywood... there was no "spiritual connection" between her and Secretariat. It was totally made up, Wallace was a seminarian. Penny said she and Secretariat "had a mutual respect." He had huge presence, was independent, might just nip you though he was a sweetheart. Really, interrupting the Belmont stretch bursting out "Oh Happy Day." At that point my stomach turned and I groaned in disappoointment. Didn't even have that thrilling stretch call. Sorry.

[@bon1042]

@WMJCPA I started to read Pure Heart and so choked up with opening lines, had to put it down for awhile.

[@BethPeters-c4e]

Something Royal was a big horse. She was solid and beautiful. What a combination. He got the best of Bold Ruler and Something Royal.

[@suehaynie]

@UsuxMyBallsack His heart was bigger than the average horse!!!you are MDD

[@OMGWUNSIU]

Wow, great stuff. I didn’t know he went to Hialeah before anywhere else. Interesting.

[@mickey120642]

there were a few great thoroughbreds in the 50's and 70's. secretariat was at the top, then there was the greast krlso, dr fager, buckpasser, and at the end of the 70's, there was " the bid "

[@stayathome123]

Challedon .... that was the thoroughbred that the poet Edna St Vincent Millay was involved with .... 2nd in the Derby, winner of the Preakness ... HOY 1939, 1940.... I was happy to give back to you (for that autograph) the little tidbit I had read about Millay warming herself up before poetry readings by reciting all the Derby winners!

[@bon1042]

Reality I meant to state was movie created wholly different reality. Penny didn't pine with guilt and the degree of worry that the movie created. Of course, when a parent, mother OR father becomes absent it creates problems, inconvenience. I'm a radical feminist, however, there wasn't anti-woman resentment portrayed in movie, like 2 guys who made sarcastic comment, press conf w/Pancho Martin showing antagonism. Never happened. All this took away fm Secretariat's story.

[@bon1042]

cont. Penny realized the conflict was there. Actually her husband was more the problem. I was responding to your raising the subject.... "don't know if you're a mother, but as one MYSELF" has an undertone of throwing guilt out there. Clearly Penny was away a whole lot more, cross country, again and again. She was flying back and forth. See, now we're totally focused on maternal love and a mother being away fm her children. The subject is "irrelevant." Secretariat is the subject.

[@GBeret83]

When you discuss the all-time great horses from America or Europe. The list is always the same. In America it's always Man O' War, Secretariat, Citation, Kelso, and Native Dancer. Among the Euro greats it's always Brigadier Gerard, Sea Bird, Mill Reef, Nijinsky, and Shergar. There's horses on that list from both countries that you can say had a better overall career than Secretariat did. But no horse on that list, from either country, would've gotten to within 10 lengths of Secretariat in the>>>

[@stevefowler2112]

Secretariat still holds the world record time for the championship distance of a mile and a half...that puts any argument to bed with a slam of the door.

[@marysueeasteregg]

Good lists. No Ribot? Frankel retired in 2012, so I am even more surprised you did not include him. Some, including myself, would put Spectacular Bid on the list of U.S. horses. (And probably Zenyatta, too, whom I very strongly think does NOT belong classed with the greatest males, not with only 2 starts against the opposite sex.)

[@bon1042]

I mentioned Penny and her children bec of the slant the movie took. It was inaccurate, very inaccurate. The woman was determined, smart, and her father's daughter, the only one of the 3 or 4 who cared AT ALL about keeping on with the Meadow. They wld've sold it all. THAT was my point, tht P was committed to turning the operation around. The pressure came fm her husband. It's uncomfortable to watch the Belmont, she never even loooks at him after the win. The marriage was over.

[@bon1042]

I never had any intention of trying to change your opinion about the film. You keep saying that. I was simply stating, adamantly, why I didn't like the film. I was very disappointed. I hoped for better than we got. And a lot of people share that feeling. I felt let down. In response to you I kept giving reasons why I didn't like the film. That is NOT trying to change YOUR opinion. Fair??

[@orriechristopher862]

Secretariat is my favorite racehorse and I know all about him

[@Andy-ok7ev]

If. U look. In. His. Eye. U will c. His. ♥

[@Andy-ok7ev]

U. R. A. Very. Good. Man

[@famefed01]

can california chrome be a equal to secretariat ie chrome wins the triple crown yr 2014 how can any be equal to secretariat when kentucky, preakness belmont all the run winning the triple crown every quarter always faster ie to say start the race is the slowest the end is the fastest, secretariat is the only throughbred to run this manner fastest in all

[@marysueeasteregg]

If you are saying he ran all three races running each quarter faster than the other, you do not know what you are talking about. He ran those three races in three entirely different ways. It was ONLY the Kentucky Derby in which he ran each quarter faster than the preceding -- he was last in the beginning, and made a gradual, relentless drive to first, accelerating throughout. In the Preakness, he was again last early, but sprinted to first on the first turn with breathtaking acceleration, a very unusual way to run/win a non-sprint race. He was NOT running at the end as fast as he made that early move around that first turn. As for the Belmont, he was in the lead or vying for it out of the gate, sprinting a breakneck speed. He was SLOWING DOWN throughout most of the Belmont, albeit far more gradually than the otherhorses, hence the illusion he was speeding up. His furlong fractions for the Belmont were (taken from Nack's book "Secretariat," p. 403): 12 1/5 11 2/5 11 2/5 11 1/5 12 11 3/5 12 1/5 12 1/5 12 12 4/5 12 1/5 12 4/5 Notice: ALL his sub-12 second splits are in the first half of the race. His two slowest eighths are the final and third to last. Some splits are faster than the preceding, but the general pattern is of deceleration. Secretariat's final time for the Belmont was 2:24 flat. If he had run the second half of the race as fast as he did the first half, his final time would have been 2:19 3/5. I'm not going to compile the quarter mile splits here as I have in other threads, but I will compile his half mile splits: 46 1/5 48 49 4/5 He ran each half mile 1 4/5 seconds slower than the preceding in the Belmont. Secretariat's achievement in the Belmont was running the early part of the race tremendously fast and having enough stamina to not fall apart (as did Sham halfway through) and be able to finish the race with sub 13-second fractions. Most horses would have wilted after that early pace. Suggestion: use some punctuation, please.

[@chirelle.alanalooney8609]

You are right, and Secretariat Broke All Track Records in each of the Triple Crown Races.

[@chirelle.alanalooney8609]

Look, that Mary Sue Easter Egg is a Psycho Case. She has Hemoroids (wrong spelling) where any common sense brains should be. There's no point in continueing to talk any further with someone that only wants to bitch and argue to no end about something. That woman is nuts, as well as Psycho.

[@tikizia1981]

In the movie, "Pancho jumps and celebrates at the "Aquaduct" b4 the Kentucky Derby, hes screaming as he won but he didnt , i wonder if this was a production mistake on the movie, cause even in the movie Sham is second !! or is that he was just happy cause sham beat Secretariat...

[@bon1042]

@GoldenOakFarm there is a video here for Ruffian where he talks at length. I saw once, but I can't watch the race and what happens... just can't.

[@redrocks1983]

JHC ... GET A LIFE!

[@bon1042]

cont. Randall Wallace made separation fm her family a big issue in sense that she was so forlorn, showing her on bed so troubled. I wanted to correct that. Her children didn't resent her. Of course, it disrupts a family. The POINT is that when I typed what you quoted, YOU created the issue by reacting with, "if I were away fm my children for more than 2 wks".... IMPLYING a woman who didn't feel that way wasn't being as "maternal as she should be.