Secretariat Belmont Stakes 1973 & extended coverage (HD Version - NEW!)

[@mrk_nyc]

Whenever I need a mental boost, I watch this video. Remember folks, when you're "out there all alone..." it might just be because you're in first place.

[@ronmullins6108]

I do the same for the same reason M R....

[@wilbertrichmond4779]

Awesome quote

[@boeing900]

Wow, I love that. 👏👏👍

[@brianmann9570]

Words of Wisdom.

[@brendadale852]

I watch this race so very often. I'm 64, and I watched this race when it happened. Secretariat has always been my hero. When I was younger, before children, I was a horse teacher. I trained young horses and young people how to work together. Horses are amazing animals, very trusting. It's the people you have to train more than the horses. Training a young horse is simplicity as long as you understand their psychology. Young people are a lot more difficult. But put a young horse and a young person together, that's magic! It changes a person's outlook forever. And I know this personally as when I was 15 I was a bit of a bad ass. My Dad bought me a 5 year old 1/2 quarter horse pinto, in 1971, named Ted. He was a crazy gaming horse, won all Eastern Ontario championships. Dad paid $325 for him. But, he was pinto, and the fad was going toward pure QH colours. So Ted wasn't favourable colour. Dad bought me the horse because I was heading into bad behaviour at the tender age of 15, and a horse would lead me back right. Perfect move, Dad! That horse changed my life!!!! And I changed that horse's life. We were both nutbars when we first got together. It took some time for both of us to realize we were on the same page. We became a team that nobody could match. We could do performance, we could game like no other team, we did bareback dressage (with no bridle), jumping. Ted and I were connected at a soul level. At ground level, or on his back, we were one. I've never since had such a connection.

[@JB69.]

It's pretty amazing that after 50 years, Secretariat still holds the track records for all three tracks in the Triple Crown.

[@neilgunns8391]

I’ll bet he was on the sauce.

[@Saxxin1]

@@neilgunns8391 No more than any other horse before or after him. Maybe if you actually researched this horse you'd know why he was so much better than any horse before or after. But a proper education is the last thing you want. You just want to show your ignorance by throwing out unfounded accusations because you think it makes you look cool. It doesn't. Cool is the last thing people will think when they read your comment.

[@joseluisesparza9607]

Jay....no debiera de sorprenderte .cuando secretrary tenía el corazón más grande de lo normal y la sancaba , el ángulo más amplio que todos los caballos

[@marksmith4346]

@@neilgunns8391 After Secretariat passed, the autopsy showed genetic anomalies for circulation and respiration...not that the horse was "using" anything the other horses weren't using but the horse was just different.

[@maryr7800]

@@neilgunns8391 In the thoroughbred business it's called "heart", some horses have it, some don't. Secretariat had the biggest and best heart of all.

[@Samuel_Gonzalez35]

"HE IS MOVING LIKE A TREMENDOUS MACHINE!" No truer words have ever been spoken.

[@caesarfiorini1728]

That's what my girl said to me last night

[@juliettehughes2851]

secretariat raced like no other. chills down my spine !

[@nomiddlenamenmn427]

I love the crack in his voice when he says “miracle horse.” RIP, Legendary King.

[@leo50519]

Right as he passed the American flag!

[@russs7574]

Right up there with Howard Cosell's call of "Down goes Frazier!!" And come to think of it, George Foreman dominated Joe Frazier just like Secretariat dominated this field.

[@BassPlyr23]

50 years ago today, and it’s still considered one of the greatest performances in sports history. What a magnificent animal Secretariat was.

[@annhathaway1475]

So true!! I tear up every time I watch it!

[@johnnythompson4592]

To me the greatest in a single event

[@jackprecip5389]

@@johnnythompson4592 Are you serious, he beat 3 mediocre horses and a tired Sham that was never going to last that distance. It was a glorified exhibition race.

[@jeffepperly230]

​@@jackprecip5389 Are you serious? I am, your response isn't accurate and most of us on the planet that know anything about horsing racing would disagree. First, all the horses had the same amount of time to train and rest between each race, all were good race horses especially Sham. Second, the latter races of the Triple crown always have less horses (useless point). Third, Sham couldn't keep the pace with Secretariat because he and the entire field were being crushed by Big Red with the second place horse finishing 31 lengths behind. Didn't matter if there were 10 horses in that race they all would have lost just the same. If they were that good they should have shown up on June 9, 1973. Fourth and most importantly, CERTIFIED RACE TIMES! Secretariat holds the time records in all 3 races. Kentucky Derby, Preakness and the Belmont Stakes. This is a fact! He completed the Belmont in 2.24 flat. No other horse in history has broken 2:26 for the Belmont stake mile and half nor on any other dirt track at that distance. Go to youtube and look at some of the videos on the 1973 Belmont race and listen to the people who were actually there. Some you will know of. Check out this video which is very accurate and informative. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oV6up5Sbqq58qdk Secretariats 1973 Belmont stakes performance is widely regarded as the greatest performance in horse racing history. Check out Secretariat's entry on Wikipedia. His performance in the Belmont stakes easily compares to all the other athletic accomplishments throughout history. You are not supposed to win the Masters by 12 stokes or score 100 points or win the Belmont by 31 lengths!

[@annebelgard6723]

I was at all 3 of the Triple Crown races and can tell you even though decades have passed that I have never seen anything like him. I still cry watching his runs!

[@kevinevans5921]

If I could go back in history and witness one sporting event in person , this would be it.

[@sachinpatole6831]

Me too,

[@kp4949]

I watched all 3 races on tv w/my mom and we were screaming for Secretariat. To see him run in person would have been amazing. They both are resting in peace. 💕

[@dickbackus2004]

This and the Miracle on Ice.

[@kp4949]

@@dickbackus2004 👍🥇⛸🏑

[@ellenb.2026]

I was there, and you picked the right event to want to witness. It was everything you could imagine and more.

[@i1custd]

Who still gets goosebumps watching this in 2021? The greatest “athlete” of all time. 3 Triple Crown race records that still stand to this day. A record that will probably never be broken.

[@jogman262]

I do. This is the single greatest feat by man or horse I have ever seen. He was toying with those other horses.

[@rhump01]

Fantastic horse !

[@chriscostonis4837]

Are you kidding me...almost 50 years later..Brought me to tears..George Costonis lives

[@paulgekides6608]

Great animal. I watch this any time I can

[@kennethhodges9383]

Goose bumps? It will almost bring tears to your eyes !

[@susananderson9955]

Thank you for this video. My dad is Chic Anderson, the announcer, and I cherish any footage we can find. Wonderful!

[@kortbrew]

Susan, were you born when your Dad called this race?

[@alexfulin2661]

One of the greatest sports call in the history of sports

[@jenniferblanas280]

Absolutely the best call I have ever heard.. your dad was absolutely amazing

[@kevinbradley804]

It was an amazing call of an amazing performance. I can’t imagine anyone else doing it.

[@karalguidubaldi6013]

Susan Anderson omg, the announcer! What a wonderful opportunity! What a day, I was watching and will never forget the sheer wonder of it all! congrats to your dad!

[@docguinwayne8370]

I have a huge poster on my wall with pictures of Secretariat in many races and Penny and signed by Ron Turcotte. It is my pride and joy. As an ex jock I have never seen anything like this race or this horse.

[@joedeangelis2972]

"He is moving like a tremendous machine" - A great horse, a great announcer and a great moment to live.

[@annedonovan9005]

I love the tone of the announcers voice it's like he couldn't believe what he was seeing "He's out there all alone....he's almost half a mile away from the rest of the horses..." 😂

[@averayugen8462]

Too many are treated like effing machines!😳

[@toddvest9298]

@@annedonovan9005 " .. a 1/16 of a mile.." If he was half a mile ahead he would have finished as the other horses were entering the final turn.

[@RussCR5187]

Gives me chills every time I hear him say it.

[@johnylopez]

this feat, which has two explanations, the size of his stride, and the size of his heart, make him the best racehorse in history

[@MikeyD22]

In any sport, in any era, this is as close to absolute perfection as you're ever going to see.

[@craigneeve61]

1997 tiger woods comes close

[@oceanhedonist265]

@@craigneeve61 You could say the same for Don Larsen's perfect game in the World Series, Jack Nicklaus on Sunday at Augusta in 1984, Reggie Jackson's 3 straight homeruns in the 1977 World Series, Roger Maris 61 homeruns in 1960 to break Babe Ruth's single season record, but Secretariat won the Triple Crown of horse racing 🐎 which hadn't been done since 1948. He also set a time record in the Belmont Stakes that still stands today.

[@GeoAce777]

@@oceanhedonist265 Cael Sanderson 🤼

[@jimmyolsen5897]

Babe Ruth

[@MikeyD22]

I'm a huge Ruth fan but his lifetime batting average was .342 which meant that he failed 66% of the time. Secretariat won 16 of his 21 races with three seconds and one third. Ruth was nowhere even close to being as perfect as Secretariat. Set records in all of the triple crown races winning the Belmont by 31 lengths. With him there is no legitimate argument as to who is the greatest of all-time.

[@joesmith1946]

"That is a record that may stand... forever." And so far, almost 50 years later, it still stands. Secretariat would have won yesterday's (2022) Belmont by 4-1/2 seconds, or 24 lengths.

[@shaun374]

Considering the concoction of drugs they have these horses on nowadays, that’s absolutely incredible. It’s quite possible Secretariat reached the absolute physical peak capable of the species during that summer.

[@joshcolbert1986]

Let that just sink in for a moment 24 LEGNTHS

[@31webseries]

Incredible, just incredible.

[@cmeflywva]

@@joshcolbert1986 Correction - 31 lengths, unbelievable!

[@ahsanshaikh786]

I don’t think it will ever be broken.

[@douglascarducci6977]

I'm always speechless by the distance of that lead... ..just unreal and will never be beat

[@bensomberg]

I am 72 and have seen thousand of sports events. This is absolutely the most amazing performance I have seen. I remember the thrill of watching it live as if it were yesterday. A tremendous athlete.

[@susanweber6861]

Agree! I’m 70 and I watched with my Dad.

[@texmexia49]

How very blessed you were to be there!!!!

[@freeguy77]

One equivalent day would be in Mar. 1962, when Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a game. Nobody close to that record, just as Secretariat's 2:24 in the Belmont run!

[@freeguy77]

One more exceptional sporting achievement: Shawn Green for the L.A. Dodgers on May 23, 2002, hit 4 Home Runs, a Double, and a Single for a record 19 Total Bases, and 6 Runs scored in one game!

[@freeguy77]

Seven goals in an NHL game, by Joe Malone in 1920, the only time that has been done!

[@tomscott4438]

"But Secretariat is all alone..." That's the call that always gets me. Turcotte later said that "he wasn't even tired". This really needs to be considered as one of the great athletic performances of all time.

[@randycrocker5908]

I agree sir, it is the greatest performance I can think of, those weren't old nags he was running against and if you brought back thet greatest horses, he still had 2 and 3/5 seconds on the best of the best. Nobody in the stands could believe he could keep that pace early in the race when he was running with Sham. After the final turn it looked like he eased up just a bit, to catch a good breath or 2 or 3 the others were starting their kick towards the finish , then Secretariat did his kick and he was pulling away, widening his lead as he got closer to the finish. I like what Turcotte said, I'd never felt such strength under me, his breathing was good his long strides were good. I should just be a good passenger. The only thing I did is I leaned up to his ear and whispered to him a couple of times " easy boy"... now by God that's a horse, greatest horse to ever frace the race track

[@danieldrinkwalter2393]

Absolutely, and he was still pulling away at the finish. They could have made the race 2 or 2.5 miles and he would have just won by 50 or 60 lengths...!!!

[@jogman262]

@Tom Scott GOAT!!!

[@jogman262]

“Be a tremendous machine.” should be a mantra we should all live by, in everything we do.

[@sareaper69]

Not an athletic performance. Just a marvel of nature. There is no equivalent secretariat-level human. Usain Bolt was only marginally faster than anyone ever. When the secretariat of humans is eventually born, who destroys everyone by lengths and not inches, that will be a sight to behold. Genetically, Secretariat can be considered a lottery ticket of lottery tickets.

[@5UsualSuspects1]

"But Secretariat is all alone...Secretariat is in a position that is impossible to catch." 45 years later, he still is.

[@jogman262]

Goosebumps every time I see this. "He is moving like a tremendous machine!" No doubt!

[@VictorRamonethefirst]

Jac Catt This phrase needs to be immortalized on another statute of Secretariat

[@RafaelRodriguez-ek5vi]

@@jogman262 NJ

[@jeffstipp6872]

If I could like that comment a million times, I would.

[@reginacollins4288]

@@jogman262 I do too, and I watch it over and over and over!

[@jimfladwood4393]

My grandfather was a horse rancher in Idaho. I remember he cried when he watched this on TV.❤ I lost him five years later. I remember him saying, secretariat was a gift from God.❤❤❤

[@margareteplaetzer3127]

@@jimfladwood4393 so very true

[@vittoriasheltie5583]

Glad he got to see it. I had a really annoying woman at work who, when I mentioned Secretariat, she said 1973 was a long time ago and you should find a new horse to admire.. I replied : That's why we still talk about it today (it was 2022). I had to explain that is because he was Secretariat. Clueless old cow. She didn't get it.

[@jimfladwood4393]

@@vittoriasheltie5583 Sounds like she had no CLUE !!

[@vittoriasheltie5583]

I was looking to hear a song just now and saw this notification thing. I clicked on it. No clue what any of this is. I have no You Tube Channel! Do not and never have. I would like to know what is being said in my name though. Barely ever even use any social media beyond twitter and never posted on this venue. WTH ? It's late (11:45) & I'm tired. I will definitely figure this out tomorrow. It's crazy. My 1 and only hero ever is Secretariat. I really don't appreciate what someone has done in my name. Tomorrow I will find out what it was and proceed accordingly. This is beyond weird.

[@vittoriasheltie5583]

@@jimfladwood4393 This is seriously bizarre. Damn there is already so much that is making me despair in life, now I am supposed to figure out this name bandit or whatever. OMG. Barely can go on. Really done. You have NO IDEA. Seriously. Done.

[@buttercup141312]

I hope that commentator got a pay raise because he just makes the experience of watching this even more powerful.

[@mikes3827]

Yep. Anderson's "He is running like a TREMENDOUS machine!" sends chills down my spine when I hear it. It really does add to this race, along with the cheering audience also instinctively knowing they were witnessing something unprecedented.

[@anthonysaponaro6318]

Indeed ! Kinda like these guys once they realized they were watching a phenom kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIKZqH-CgNmNmck Secretariat and Zenyatta had pretty much the exact same max stride angle FRIGGIN MASSIVE STRIDES ! If you watch just their legs from the point Secretariat begins to break away from Sham Sham needs to almost double stride Secretariat without question was a machine . . with gears and gears

[@richardyanco3229]

The race caller was Chick Anderson who was the regular announcer at Churchill Downs in Louisville. I was there that day and remember his call very well. In those days there was no closed-circuit tv and no Jumbotrons so the announcer's call was critical to the on-track patrons. The fact that Belmont is the largest race track in the United States and is 1 1/2 miles in circumference made it all the more difficult to follow the stride by stride action. As often happened in those days the crowd knew when to hush so they could hear the call clearly. Once they got an idea of what was happening they would resume their usual roaring for the horses on the lead and those closing. I do remember vividly that as Secretariat approached the 1/4 pole midway on the far turn that the crowd paused briefly so that Anderson was able to let them know that "Secretariat is moving like a tremendous machine". That did it. From that point and down the stretch the crowd was able to discern which horse was where and I do very much remember watching from the top of the stands and across from the 1/8th pole as Ron Turcotte was looking toward the infield and watching the teletimer and was able to calculate in his mind that Secretariat was well on his way to at least a track record. That was why he continued to ride Big Reed out all the way to the wire. I forget what I had for breakfast today but that day's special race is forever etched in my memory.

[@bigal724]

@Jhania Smith....if you never seen the movie. Get it. It's long and slow but damn it's a great movie. I was never really into horses but when I saw the movie many years ago it really grabbed me.

[@WikiMartino]

@@richardyanco3229 Thank you for that commentary. It really adds color to the experienced event.

[@nickcurran3105]

"He is moving like a tremendous machine!" is my favorite line in sports broadcasting

[@4Mr.Crowley2]

Me too - it still gives me chills. Big Red, the super horse.

[@patlynch3464]

And our flag scrolls across the screen as well.

[@patriciamccormick9321]

Chic Anderson was calling the races at Belmont at the end of his life so my Dad and I became great fans. When Dad told me he died at age 47 of a heart attack my heart broke. The only celebrity deaths I cried over in my life were Thurman Munson and Chic Anderson. RIP.

[@c2cooler2]

YES! YES! YES!!!! Me too!

[@cutl00senc]

Machines are so beautiful….because man created them from their minds

[@Gehan01]

"Secretariat moving like a tremendous machine!" - 10/10 chills.

[@Tony-5000]

And he said it as Secretariat was under our great banner. America's great champion.

[@CarolineDawson-yk8zm]

Gehan01 SAME!!!!

[@mikeyfiftythree6237]

Gehan01 ...and just watched this again for the umpteenth time, the feeling never changes!

[@brka7551]

Gehan01 thank you for pointing that out I didn’t hear it before

[@robert84_]

Exactly! Easily got chills when he said that.

[@BobbyMick-c5b]

I will never forget this race. Still makes me emotional every time I watch it. 51 years later the record still stands.

[@genemars5158]

1973: "That is a record that MAY stand forever..." 2024: So far, so good.

[@Runner2001]

I wish someone could start a gofund to get an atomic clock next to his statue showing how long his record continues to stand the test of TIME

[@richardgrace4500]

People also fail to realize that this day was the hottest day on record before or since for this race...so secretariat not only shattered the old record with a record that has yet to be broken he did it in record setting blazing heat for the race

[@genemars5158]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3nYXnaVnpaMpbOcttps://kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3nYXnaVnpaMpbM

[@Tboy439]

@@genemars5158 ...It was quite the race, but I would have to say the second most amazing race of all time. The first was the 2021 or 2020 400 meter hurdle race. The guy who came in third broke the exsisting world record and had just ran the 3rd fastest time in history...AND CAME IN 3rd. Check it out.

[@LesterMoore]

Only the 1972 Miami Dolphins and Rocky Marciano approach Secretariat's greatness.

[@JohnDoe-bz3ci]

Never thought I'd tear up over the performance of a horse. Possibly the greatest, most dominant, performance in the history of sports.

[@robertlevine2827]

DOMINANT. You chose the right word.

[@WiliiamNoTell]

could not agree more!

[@ldarcel]

IKR! I did as a little kid and it still makes me tear up

[@magicmarc3340]

@@ldarcel Dead on my friend. Greatest of all time.

[@gregmerchanthouse4273]

This seems to be a common, but odd reaction to Secretariat win at Belmont. It makes me tear up every time. Other incredible sporting events, individual performances, etc have never prompted the emotional tears of this event. And I'm clearly not alone. I don't buy the explanation given to Jack Nicholas by the journalist in the sports century documentary. But I'd love to know why this horse makes grown stoic men weep

[@H--B]

“He is moving like a tremendous machine!!!” Greatest sports call of all time

[@bradsteiner1322]

Close, but it falls just short of Al Michaels' call of the "Miracle On Ice."

[@H--B]

@@bradsteiner1322 LOL maybe to you

[@CCCC-cb2ty]

@@bradsteiner1322 Gonna agree... the “do you believe in miracles?” line has to take it. Up there for me, as well, is Vin Scully’s call of Gibson’s dinger... “in a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!”

[@beachhunting69]

@@CCCC-cb2ty One of the best aspects of Vin Scully's call was his ability to stay silent for over a minute and let the atmosphere of the moment sink in...and then his classic “in a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!”. Great line.

[@kingrama2727]

Ummmmm no….

[@PeterJane-fs1oy]

Of all the athletic performances in the history of sports, human or otherwise. No other performance brings a tear of joy to my eyes like this does. Even if you know nothing of horse racing the performance and the sound of the crowd emit an energy of amazement of the highest order possible. You can see it and you can feel it. The great golfer Jack Nicholas once said “as he came down the strait away I cried”. The epiphany that this triple crown victory was perfection, something all athletes dream of but almost never achieve. Let’s not forget that Sec set records in all 3 which still stand today. And this one, the Belmont, is a world record that as Chick Anderson states, may stand forever. As a athlete I can always recognize greatness, and perhaps this single performance is possibly the greatest of all time and is recognized by many analysts as such. Thank you for posting 😃

[@mariaschiminsky1008]

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@walterraulerson2986]

Yes

[@thomasbuck7775]

I was mowing the lawn and my Dad stopped me to come in and watch this race, he told me to get ready to see history made. I’m sure he expected us to just see a triple crown won. As I held an ice tea to my lips...I never took a sip as we watched the most amazing athletic performance in history happen live on TV. When the race was over my Dad and I just stood there staring and not saying a word. I finally glanced at my Dad who was a “ mans-man” and noticed he was emotional but never said a word. I’ll never forget my Pop and I sharing that moment in history. It still makes me emotional to think about watching “Big Red” shatter the record for that race. What a horse!

[@thomasbuck7775]

@John Hunter , I am not sure which could be the better memory my friend. Watching that race...or remembering what your Grandfather said to you. Super cool comment buddy.

[@rootedrotor525]

beautiful

[@marklohmann6267]

thomas buck nice to know I’m not the only to get emotional watching this race.

[@Dan-eh4tg]

Beautiful story Thomas, Thanks for sharing it.

[@mariadore2141]

I will never forget this race or this magnificent horse

[@azad9294]

"That is the record that may stand forever". The statement still true even after almost 50 years

[@jaelhoward4621]

And he, still won the digital Triple Crown Showdown all these years later.

[@julieenslow5915]

There has not been a single race of the Triple Crown in any year since those 3 records set by Secretariat that would have beat his time. In any of the three races. Since 1973. He still holds the record in all three.

[@bowlchamps37]

@@julieenslow5915 Steriod testing has become so much better that the records will never be broken.

[@usfanlovesjiwoo1978]

@trf12567 And that would be his great great grandson American Pharoah. A great race horse, but great grandpa is still the best.

[@usfanlovesjiwoo1978]

@@bowlchamps37 Give it a rest you hater. Secretariat was a superior super horse and did not need drugs to win. His strength and huge heart was all he needed. You know don't kid yourself into thinking that horses get faster as years go by. It could very well be that the fastest horse ever is from 50 years ago and will always be that way. If you can't prove he was on roids then don't waste your time trying to get others to believe you.

[@wesleyantrim6648]

One of these days I’ll watch this and not be moved to tears. But that day is not today.

[@pamelak8796]

Don't bet on it. I watched the original race, and i still cry every time I watch this. If there is such a thing as magic, this horse was it!

[@chatman2a]

Over the past 47 years, I’ve tried also. Result: The tears still flow freely.

[@majkjems]

No ,I hope you won't. The tears are Pride,Awe and Appriciation of a monumental event. That kind of feeling is God given. I hope you never lose it. This horse was PERFECT. There will be no other as magnificent as he when it comes to animals.

[@m74796]

No whip all three races ! That horse knew what he was doing.

[@dnac1899]

It's true. I cannot watch this race without tearing up. And I'm not even a huge horse racing fan but Secretariat was something special!!!!

[@EnglishMagic777]

Don't know how many times I've watched these 1973 Secretariat videos. Just can't get tired of them. HE WAS INCREDIBLE!!!

[@jimmyphillips4333]

Seen it live.

[@KimikoCat]

He ran the mile and a quarter in the Belmont 2/5 of a second faster than he had run it in the Derby, and since the Belmont is a mile and a half, he still had another quarter mile to run. He even (unofficially) broke the Belmont Park record for a mile and 5/8, and by that time he was slowing down.

[@craigmitchell604]

That voice and that call and that race and that horse and my mother jumping up and down in the living room screaming “Go Baby Go”…created the greatest sporting memory of my life. At 59, I still cry the same tears I cried when only 10 years old watching it all on a 12” black and white TV.

[@68air]

I love that visual. Reminds me of what took place in our home.

[@jeffreywolfe1]

I was almost 10 years old when I saw the race on TV with my family. Like you I cry tears of joy every time I rewatch it. Let's see how the world celebrates the 50th anniversary of a miracle.

[@rogercarter456]

I’m 74 & still cry each & everytime I watch Secretariat. Best athlete ever in any sport. And the movie is one of the best. ❤

[@effemeseyevee901]

same age, same experience! i cried then and even now!

[@Felipe4352]

Desde Argentina, conozco la fama de Secretariat y me gustaría saber si algún potrillo descendiente llegó a ser tan bueno como Secretariat.

[@brucemackenzie4952]

“That is a record that may stand for ever”, 48 years later it still stands. In fact he has the track record still at all three of the triple crown tracks. Absolute perfection at a difficult time in this nations history he gave of us all a welcome relief from all that on three weekends in 1973. I was 26 and watching with mom and dad and my wife going crazy.

[@mattthompson9826]

After all, to this very day, Pham’s time in the Kentucky Derby is the second fastest in the history of the event.

[@garypainter5705]

The greatest horse in history. My opinion. Loved watching him.

[@zanti4132]

@@garypainter5705 No need to say it's an opinion. The clock is very objective.

[@garypainter5705]

@@zanti4132 my opinion exactly. I loved this horse. My dad and i and. Witched this horse. Have ridden for 40 years. Great est horse ever.........

[@evantorch6122]

Many women and not an inconsiderable number of men, broke into tears!

[@calevel]

“That’s a record that might stand forever “... and almost fifty years later still stands undefeated. He was a magnificent horse.

[@thegreenbird795]

the best...

[@corkkyle]

Never, ever will be another like Secretariat. Wow.

[@headshotsongs9465]

His heart was 1 and 1/2 times larger than normal.

[@michaeldillon1027]

Just think if he would have been challenged. This would probably have caused him to run even faster and lowered the record even more.

[@calevel]

He had an oversized heart that acted like a turbocharged engine plus he had pride and stamina simply put he was God’s perfect creation. Will never be another one like him again.

[@Angie-v4r]

This brings me to tears every time. I was 10 years old when Secretariat flew at Belmont. I had no idea who he was then. So grateful for this footage the past few years now. I can only imagine the emotions running through that crowd. Just Wow

[@ricardovargas4546]

I saw all 3 races live. I watched the 2nd half of the Belmont with my mouth hanging open. It is still the single greatest sport moment in history. I watched a magical creature and it made me weep.

[@karalguidubaldi6013]

Ricardo Vargas OMG, you saw it live? I will always tear up when I see it again. But live? How lucky can you get?

[@aubthedog3305]

Wow lucky one I wish I was alive to see this. Did you get to go meet him after the race? Do you have pics? Your so lucky

[@gh9111]

Many grown men were weeping. It was a marvelous moment.

[@jilldowlat4498]

That's so awesome!!

[@lindaprill1744]

I did also. I still tear up today. Amazing. Beautiful

[@Gwenhamara]

Poor Sham. He was such a good horse who had the misfortune to be born the same year as a legend. I know Secretariat broke his heart.

[@TristanandIsolt]

Secretariat ripped Sham's heart out of his living body.

[@deniseeulert5220]

I thought the same. Sham was a great horse, it's just that his rival was better.

[@TheSands83]

Sham is like Hall of fame basketball players in the 90s

[@MsCelmusic]

Poor sham, unfortunately name too

[@ritaanderson4855]

I totally agree that poor Sham, had he come up in any other year, would have been a Triple Crown Winner himself because he was a superior horse to all others EXCEPT Secretariat!

[@bpcarman]

The first time he Crossed the start/finish line, he was going 36 mph. The second time he crossed it, he was going 39 mph. He ran every quarter faster than the one before. There will never be another like him.

[@ArmyRob13]

Literally accelerated through the whole race, unbelievable…

[@christinepeniaranda8484]

Imagine the speed a horse attains running their top speed on a wild space without a rider. Probably even faster than the clockers record.

[@marcielopez6501]

One of the most beautiful sights ever to be seen. I watch it many times and try to imagine the lungs,the mind, the heart, the soul of this fabulous horse all in harmony. He had to know who he was and what he was doing. He made a conscious decision to give it everything he had. Divine Marcie Shrewsbury

[@dianeatkinson2015]

@@marcielopez6501 Secretariat's throuroughbred history can be traced back through the UK Stud book to the late 1600s He was related to every single great raehorse, including Shergar, Henkel, Seabiscuit and more.

[@lonesquid]

@@marcielopez6501 His heart! Yes! I believe they said it was twice the size of the average race horse's heart! And he obviously loved to run! :)

[@user-pq7cw9dj7t]

I was an 11 year old horse lover and I knew that I was watching history!!! Best called race too!!

[@mgwaccnt]

Same here, 11 years old. Rode my bike up and down our street after the race, pretending I was riding Secretariat.

[@Louieman]

I keep arguing this with friends and no one seems to buy it, but this is possibly the greatest performance in sports history. I understand Secretariat is a horse, and that's where the issue comes in. And when you factor in the human social element, a la Jackie Robinson's first season in MLB, you won't get debate from me. But this horse, at the biggest race of the biggest tournament it will ever run in, not only wins, but destroys the all time-record for this length for any horse, ever, on any surface, to this day, and not even by any close margin, where each quarter of the race he gets better. Imagine game 7 of the world series and a pitcher pitches a perfect game, the perfect game with the most strikeouts and fewest pitches, against an amazing team, and by the 9th inning he's hitting 100mph on the gun. I don't know what else you can ask for than what this horse did. That to me, is the essence of what sports performance is about.

[@Spursrule1969]

What are you on about? The world record for a horse running over this distance is 2.22.63, Not to mention the dubious timing system that America uses of not starting the timer until the horse has run 70yds, If you time the race properly from when the stalls opened he ran 2.26.80

[@johnwalsh3215]

It is the greatest individual effort in a sporting event ever no doubt!!!!

[@kevinsheldrick917]

Secretariat's time was " the American record for ​1 1⁄2 miles on the dirt" (Wikipedia). In 1989, Hawkster set the world record of 2:22.8 "for one and one half miles on Turf" (Wikipedia) at Santa Anita Park, California (the video gave 2.24 for Secretariat), so Secretariat's time-record for this length is on dirt (but not for "any surface").

[@johnwalsh3215]

Kevin Sheldrick I know Wikipedia says it was an American record but it’s the world record still on dirt. No horse has been within a second of Secretariat’s time and for Belmont not within 2 seconds. There’s a big difference running in dirt vs turf it’s like race cars running in dirt vs a paved track that’s about the best way to describe the difference

[@TheFromaniac]

I’ve heard someone in sports commentary say this was the greatest single performance in the history of all sports.

[@axlewheel6457]

I get the chills when listening to the caller. "He's moving like a tremendous machine"

[@yourontheair]

ya great

[@troytitus2859]

and hes all alone

[@stevepitkanen1424]

Same here. I remember watching this race live on TV when I was a kid; it had that much of an impact.

[@Mr10usdad]

@@stevepitkanen1424 I remember watching this. I was 7 years old with my parents at the beach. We were from Louisville KY.

[@thunderbird1921]

Listen to the crowd literally losing their minds! The greatest race horse in all of history, end of discussion.

[@skinrule1]

Not a horse guy, but this greatness gives me chills

[@dkitchen1971]

I had goosebumps watching this race. Damn was he ever a great horse!!!

[@Iam80million]

@@dkitchen1971 Same here

[@raptorm8242]

dkitchen1971 u said a bad word im telling my mom. dont ever swear again u dumb fuck

[@valoranthater420]

RaptorM82 I-

[@kennykomodo2576]

sometimes, when I get really really down and feel like just give up, giving in, ya know? So l sit and watch Secretariat. Somehow it helps.

[@jm1657]

Jack Whitaker was the lead CBS TV sportscaster for this race. He had a long Hall of Fame career covering major events in a bunch of different sports. He lived to be 95, and to his dying day always said that the most inspiring & thrilling event he ever covered was 1973’s Belmont Stakes. And that, unequivocally, the best athlete he ever saw - Human or otherwise - was Secretariat. Quite a testimonial 🌟 R.I.P. to 2 greats of Sport, Secretariat & Jack Whitaker 🌈

[@Lava1964]

"He is moving like a tremendous machine!": That's one of the great lines ever in sports commentary. I was nine when I saw this race live. I didn't appreciate what I was seeing at the time. Today it's just jaw-dropping.

[@russs7574]

Oh yeah...it's right up there with Al Michaels' "Do you believe in miracles?"

[@jogman262]

Along with, "Do you believe in miracles?!" Or, "The Giants win the Pennant!!"

[@lanes-world]

Oh what i would give to have the chance to see this live

[@jogman262]

@@lanes-world I was 12 years old. I watched during my sister's high school graduation party. Had to see it!

[@Paul-km8ko]

I was 12 and recall watching it on TV - little did i know i was witnessing history

[@KareemPilot]

"He is moving like a tremendous machine!" ... You can't come up with a better line than that... Absolutely perfect... one of the all-time classic calls in sports

[@alandonohoe5538]

+Clogg yes clogg perfect line, summed up secretariats performance.

[@Cryuff4]

Secretariat. Johan Cryuff. Larry Bird and the Tyler Rose, Earl Campbell. Perfection. And as much as I love the other GOATS, Big Red at the Belmont is the coolest thing I've ever seen. Perfection.

[@yes350yes]

Agreed!

[@richardyanco3229]

That call was from "Chick" Anderson who was also the on track race caller at Churchill Downs at that time. Unfortunately he died at a fairly young age from a heart attack, while at the microphone, at Suffolk Downs in Boston.

[@KareemPilot]

Richard Yanco Yes, sir... Terrific announcer

[@keithbechtold915]

I cry every time I see this. What an incredible, amazing, stupendous, unbelievable horse. You will never fade from the memory of race fans. Words are not enough. Hard to believe it's been almost fifty years since this great horse accomplished this memory of a lifetime.

[@patrickmckinley6679]

Hi 👋 Keith, how are you?

[@sharonmartin6986]

Well said. He makes it all worthwhile. Resting in peace. Racing in Heaven. Whenever he wants to 💖💖

[@tackle47]

@@mattpender6086 to see something in life that is total perfection. It is tears of joy and appreciation.

[@boltoht]

Me too, Keith. I never tire of this clip.

[@robertleewhitt6241]

Keith I cry too > Secretaria was the greatest athlete .

[@MyraDickson]

Every time I watch this race, I shed tears of pure joy. What a horse. A once in a lifetime horse.

[@ilmsff7]

This might be the most perfect call of a sport I've heard. Every word by Chic Anderson was perfect, his inflection spot on. "He's out there ALL ALONE!" Exactly what everyone else was thinking at the moment. He didn't go berserk, he didn't play it down. Pitch perfect.

[@JulianneTure]

Chic Anderson was the Vin Scully of race announcers.

[@rikji]

he could have been more accurate on the distance, Secretariats was way further along than the call. 31 is along way ahead of 24-25

[@johnhunter2294]

@@rikji He did say "He's almost a sixteenth of a mile away from the rest of the horses!" 31 lengths is actually almost a sixteenth of a mile.

[@mollylea2643]

@@rikji I think it was so unbelievable that they stopped counting after 24.

[@jacobjones5269]

Kinda like how they stopped counting Yordan’s HR at 450, right?.. That was 475 all day!..

[@jeanpreston8009]

My kids couldn't understand why I cried and was depressed when Secretariat died. They weren't around for his glory and couldn't understand that he wasn't "just a horse". Love you Big Red.

[@deborahfrasier1221]

He Was MORE Than A Horse. Unbelievable. I get chocked up everytime I see this video. AMAZING ONE OF A KIND. LOVE HIM❤💜💖💞💖

[@noradonovan6707]

Yes, everytime I watch it..tears! Everytime. What an elegant horse who just loved to run.

[@catherineseapratt6182]

Making it seem like secretariat had a rough life. He won and was good big deal. No need to cry

[@patrickhall6627]

@@catherineseapratt6182 How does being sad about Secretariat dying in any way imply he had a rough life? I genuinely do not understand where this is coming from.

[@catherineseapratt6182]

@@patrickhall6627 everyone is saying how emotional they got because of that race. Uh why so emotional? Did they have some special connection with the horse? NOPE

[@ronaldgajda1796]

Hands down, the greatest individual performance in sports history!

[@d.owczarzak6888]

Agreed !

[@richconboy6896]

Impossible to argue against. The greatest race, by the greatest race horse in history.

[@nathanieldavis5231]

Probably forever.

[@powdermik]

I greee

[@Jangocat]

Horse racing is not a sport. Secretariat had an enlarged heart at autopsy, the largest ever recorded at the time. Who knows what drugs they were raising horses on at the time.

[@BigRedJonson]

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's record-shattering performance in the Belmont Stakes - June 9, 1973. This unbelievable feat will forever be joined by Chic Anderson's legendary call: "Secretariat is blazing along... he is moving like a tremendous machine... an amazing, unbelievable performance by this miracle horse... this magnificent animal who has today run the most sensational Belmont Stakes in the history of this race. Secretariat has accomplished the unbelievable task of breaking the mile and a half record by two and three-fifths seconds. That is a record that may stand forever. The time of this race - 2:24. Almost unbelievable." Thanks for posting :^)

[@justice9094]

Almost 40 years later, I still can't watch without tears, goosebumps and awe.

[@kp4949]

I'm so with you on your comment.

[@amazinggrace5503]

I got that way while watching the Movie.

[@antiquegirl6505]

Almost 50 years...I was in my first year of college, will never forget seeing him run at the Derby, and watching this race on TV with my mom. Best memories.

[@TheWendybird123]

Me too, I tear up every time. Secretariat was the greatest race horse that ever lived. His heart was twice the size of an average race horse, that pumped more oxygen to his muscles, and why he could move "like a tremendous machine!" Beauty in motion, awesome to behold. I was 14 when our family watched on TV and we were jumping up and down screaming, just couldn't believe what we were watching - history in the making. Secretariat was a true athlete that loved to run and win. He had the big heart to prove it. He won by 31 lengths (officially) and his record has still never been beaten. I cried when they had to put him down, what a champion, an amazing horse. There will never be another quite like him. Love ya, Big Red!

[@orange_cat]

As a sanity check, you cried about a horse running. Awe!

[@gentjim5007]

I think what's most amazing about this performance is how much emotion it brings out in people. I cry every time I watch it. I think it's because what everyone there and everyone who watches it now sees is a miracle. An honest to goodness miracle. No cheating, no breaking rules. Something pure and good. A reminder of what can be. People that were there said it was like a religious experience, cheering and weeping. 50 years ago this may. It will NEVER be forgotten.

[@keithsanderson267]

Amen

[@SherryVictoria]

I WAS THERE! I was 18, with my mom and Grandmother. This beautiful animal was running his own race. I heard no crowd cheering, I heard nothing but the vision and glory of Secretariat! and I cry every time I think of this horse. So glad to hear you write it here, it's hard to even write this for the tears. If you read this Gent Jim, please look for my other post about taking his photo! xox

[@gentjim5007]

By the way, it was over 90 degrees that day in June. Incredible!

[@entropy889]

I squirt out a few tears watching horse races and this is no exception. I'm happy someone has articulated it exactly how it feels.

[@greeneyedsheshe]

I cry too. Secretariat was the greatest race horse ever. What a blessing that we have this we can watch over and over. I cry every time.

[@Stringfreak]

That horse ran like his life depended on it! I heard somewhere that he was accelerating so much throughout the race that his jockey was afraid that his heart would explode. And when the jockey was asked that even after that considerable lead, why didn't he slow down the horse, he admitted that by the last quarter of the race, he had no control over Secretariat. It was just doing its thing. Animals are driven by instincts. I'd love to know what was going through Secretariat's mind during that race. Its as if God himself spoke in his ears "show 'em what u've got boy. make me proud."

[@chmitoxd]

Ill take this comment for my IG post, this just made my cry thinking my dad loved this race and he passed away 1 year ago and I can hear him telling me "show 'em what u've got boy. make me proud." Thank you.

[@Stacie45]

You can kind of see it. After he pulled away from Sham he seems to relax and drop down a little bit lower, it was like he said to his jockey "Just hold on tight Buddy, I've got this." WHOOSH. What he was doing was having fun.

[@dma93-ch]

"the jockey" is named Ron Turcotte. When I saw Secretariat run I got this image in my head like if he was seeing himself running freely through the steppes. So yeah, I guess "having fun" would be a good descriptive, but for some reason this horse gives this kind of... nostalgic feel? Strong, but sensitive, like an artist. Not just a powerful machine, but a refined, majestic creature.

[@Stacie45]

@@dma93-ch Yeah I knew it was Turcotte, just didn't recall at the moment and too lazy to look it up. I believe you can get a feel for Secretariat's personality watching him walking back to the paddock after, when he starts nodding his head (4:55). To me he hears the crowd cheering and he is saying "Yeah, you like it? So do I." As a former competitive distance runner (College All-American) I can say your best days racing are the most fun you can have. Race horses like Secretariat are athletes. They know it is a race, they know where the finish line is, the crowd lets them know what their feelings are. It is visceral. You can see it. And poor Sham, a true competitor who got crushed, I know that feeling too.

[@dma93-ch]

@@Stacie45 my "the jockey" comment was not aimed at you in particular, OP did it first ;) it's funny how we all see Secretariat through our own lens. My partner and I are both musicians, and as such we both felt like this horse has a sensitive, almost "romantic" feel to him. Personally, I love horses but my partner is kinda aloof towards them, and he still was fascinated. This animal has something really special, to be able to evoke such strong sympathy even within people who aren't normally drawn to them.

[@Domino11]

There are two videos involving horses that bring me to tears every single time. This one with the magnificent Greatest of All Time, Secretariat. And the post 9-11 Budweiser spot where the huge Chydesdale horse bows to honor the victims in Manhattan. Overwhelming. Horses connect directly to our souls.

[@idkjustchangingmyname7343]

Why does this make me so emotional? I am not even a particularly big fan of horse racing but the call, the way Secretariat just dominates it is just beautiful. He truly was a tremendous machine and horse.

[@myronschabe]

This is one of those moments in history that is transcendent and it is captured on film. As well, I think because it ceases being just a horse race, he keeps accelerating and accelerating as if he is just in a completely different ecstatic zone and that somehow gets transmitted to the viewers too - magic.

[@nancy6160]

It's a once in a million years horse and we know it is. That's why we cry with awe and joy!😃🐴💓

[@antarcticorb9197]

Still crying...sheer majesty...

[@spactick]

Why? because what the announcer is adding to what your watching. He's expressing your inner thoughts

[@brockkies8566]

I get the same way. I have zero emotional stake in horse racing. My wife likes horses and she rides, but I don't engage in it much. I pet them and buy them for her. But watching Secretariat is just special. You're witnessing greatness at the highest level and it's something to behold.

[@JohnSmith-en8vx]

It’s rare that you see perfection in a person or an athlete. But for these 144 seconds God treated the world to a perfect horse.

[@kerihanke7088]

He did, an every time I watch it, I think how it must have please God to watch such a magnificent horse run for the joy of running.

[@vincestar4840]

Then God went and killed him.

[@allisonlegault9499]

I love your words. So right!

[@perfectsense3240]

@@vincestar4840 Incorrect...

[@vincestar4840]

@@perfectsense3240 Debate genius, you are.

[@dantheman5745]

If there was a Mt. Rushmore for race horses, they'd simply have Secretariat from 4 different angles.

[@thomaspiccirillo6820]

Dan the Man PERFECT DAN ! U ARE THE MAN

[@ryanduray1]

I love this comment.

[@hoserintrainingyup2713]

The perfect comment for the perfect horse, Dan.....

[@MajicMongoose62]

Dan the Man , Seabiscuit would be there on 1 angle, and Man’o’ War on 1

[@MajicMongoose62]

Don’t get me wrong, though, Secretariat was the greatest

[@thomassant2154]

It stills gives me goosebumps 50 years later! A marvelous creature who will never be forgotten!

[@dianewentz9400]

A marvelous (and GORGEOUS) horse that SHOULD never be forgotten. I know that within my lifetime, there won't be another Secretariat ... I'm not certain there will ever again be another like him again.

[@Foli24]

This gives me goosebumps and I was born in 1991 😂

[@KevinMunday-oh6xq]

Sea Bird the best European flat Horse, Secretariat the greatest ever Flat race Horse, no horse in History would have got near Him in the Belmont. From a Brit btw

[@CellarDoorx06]

"Secretariat is moving like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE!" ...Never will there ever, EVER be a more chilling commentary in the history of sports! This "magnificent animal" is buried just over the hill from my house and I come and visit "Big Red" often! 🐴♥️

[@MrJSpicoli]

Give him my respects please

[@tigioma3761]

"He is moving like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE!" is right up there with "Do you believe in Miracles???"

[@nathanieldavis5231]

Tell him a drummer from NYC , thinks of him and Bruce Lee all the time !!!

[@bradpennell5490]

​@Tigi Oma my sentiments exactly.

[@eburnham3286]

I grew up in Bowie Maryland...horse racing country. Big Red spent some time at Bowie and I got to meet him. Still sends chills down my spine. Please say a prayer and a thank you from me next time you go. Can't believe its 50 years.

[@LeeFred78]

I've never been a horse racing fan, but I return to this video a few times a year just to hear the words "He is moving like a tremendous machine!" I get goosebumps hearing it.

[@johnhunter2294]

The line that gets me is "He's out there almost a sixteenth of a mile away from the rest of the horses!" Mere lengths didn't do justice to this astounding performance.

[@B501M]

Me too : )

[@MrJSpicoli]

I cry

[@thureintun1687]

​@@MrJSpicoli me too The animals are so magnificent😢

[@davidkirby8236]

I could have written this sentence, word for word, myself. Not a horse racing fan in the least, but there's something transcendent about watching this horse in this video. I'm not sure I'll ever understand why it's so moving for me. But it's the fifty year anniversary of Big Red's ride, and here I am. And it never wears off.

[@thelastvalkyrie1998]

They say that horse racing is the “sport of kings” Secretariat was the king of horses. He was, and still is, the king of the sport of kings.

[@RedondoBeach2]

He had an extraordinarily large heart.

[@michaelwainscott2633]

Secretariat won a fairly close KY Derby and looked effortless at doing it. He won the Preakness by a larger margin and again looked effortless while Sham got the whip many times down the stretch yet despite his best efforts, lost again. Sham was spent 1/2 way through the Belmont and Secretariat let it all hang out. What was even more amazing, horses can tell when they are being challenged by other horses. And for Secretariat to finish at such a fast pace with no other horses in the same zip code in the last 1/4 mile was more amazing.

[@Daevectus]

BEHOLD THE KING THE KING OF KINGS

[@kenwaid8239]

American pharaoh last horse to win the Triple Crown was a direct blood descendant that is some powerful genetics at work right there.

[@tomshea8382]

@John Russo No.

[@karenlaitur]

I cry today watching it as I did when I watched it live. The most tremendous performance by any athlete EVER. I truly hope no horse ever breaks your record in this race, Secretariat!

[@jcb3393]

the fact that the camera had to keep widening the shot to show any other horses... amazing!

[@lilpoohbear653]

Secretariat was just looked so relaxed and yet BLAZING that friggin track!!!!!! Look at the difference of him crossing the finish line and the others...I bet he could of ran another mile that fast!!!

[@bailinnumberguy]

I've probably watched this race 100 times and I still get chills each time. One of the great moments in the history of sports.

[@billsgwn]

I am not a big horse racing fan but this is the most impressive sports highlight of any event I have ever seen

[@richiebalto1]

Same here Randy, I love watching this, BIG RED was not only the best race horse of all time He was the best athlete to ever partisapate in sports!

[@joe-kz4bc]

Just watched the movie again and I too think this is the greatest thing I have ever watched in sports. Nothing I have ever seen a human do has been so emotional. Can't explain why.

[@heleneschenbacher8512]

joe "Nothing I have ever seen a human do has been so emotional. Can't explain why." Because a horse only knows "all out." They run for the sheer fun of running. And we may never see another Big Red again. Every time I saddled up my pony and raced against friends..our ponies were ALWAYS Secretariat.

[@victoriaalcala6409]

Native Dancer, “El Dancer”, “Grey Ghost”, el gran campeón gris que corrió 22 veces y perdió una sola carrera por cabeza y con problemas.

[@ClassicalCentral]

"He is moving like a tremendous MACHINE!" One of my favorite calls in all of sports.

[@qingertea3570]

I hate the line so honestly

[@kfiscal01]

That and "do you believe in miracles!" USA Olympic hockey win against Russia.

[@wizard9403]

To this day, I still get goose bumps!!!

[@a.c.f.2423]

I don't know anything about horse racing, but I can't listen to this man without tearing up. Truly the mark of a great communicator.

[@brooklyngriffith4225]

This is one of those videos that nobody would believe if it weren't caught on tape. Secretariat is the greatest horse of all time and will be forever.

[@lyndakoers1389]

I'd believe it. I watched it happen.

[@earlegavin5931]

@@lyndakoers1389 wow amazing

[@theBIGBLUTO]

Never, never say forever because there's dozens of examples why that is. Absolutely remarkable ? Yes, but a better horse ? possibly...

[@cheryllbutler5527]

Amen!

[@philgoodpaster3161]

@@lyndakoers1389 Me too Lynda, although on TV.

[@heatherhult5838]

I saw this race live, and I cried. I will never not cry. I saw a miracle that day.

[@leecowell8165]

wow what an experience that musta been, Heather. I watched it on TV and tell you what the talk of Secretariat was EVERYWHERE here in West Palm Beach. And I wasn't into horse racing at all... but I watched this race and even my spouse at the time got into it.. WTF is going on? So I showed her look at this horse!

[@jogman262]

You saw a miracle and pure perfection.

[@carolforde8139]

I was there too. The crowd was wild with joy. I had so many strangers hugging me that day. Everyone was crying and hugging and dancing!

[@deborahpierce2562]

I just want to be in the same room as you.

[@LucyLovettLestrange]

Dad witnessed watching it at my grandparents house

[@Stacie45]

I love how Secretariat nods his head as he is walking back to the paddock afterwards. He hears the crowd cheering and he is like "Yeah, yeah. You like it? Me too." The guy had charisma.

[@aaronburtram3175]

He loved the adoration

[@freddyconsoli975]

No matter how many times I’ve seen this, I always get chills. Absolutely unbelievable

[@lilykam5605]

This performance was so earth shattering that I and many others began to cry tears as we were watching immortality in real-time. This was the physical and competitive perfection. It was as if Secretariat said, "Watch this!"!🥰

[@cpetrizzi]

Like 21 y.o. Tiger winning the Masters by 12 strokes.

[@lilykam5605]

@@cpetrizzi Having lived through both events as great as Tiger's win was or even his win at Pebble Beach widely considered one of the greatest golf performances ever, it does not quite have the same impact as Secretariat's performance. No slight to Tiger who is simply the best golfer I ever saw and I saw Jack play. There was something very mystical about Secretariat's performance.

[@tedcohodes5319]

I talked with Ron Turcotte in August 1973, when Secretariat visited Arlington Park. Ron told me it was as though Secretariat hit the ¼ pole and said to him, "Watch this"!! The horse was "consciously" 'racing the clock', showing everyone what he could do. You have to realize that even if another horse in the race had tied the previous Belmont record, Secretariat would have beaten him by 13 lengths!!

[@MrReprob8]

"Moving like a tremendous machine"....one of the greatest calls EVER.

[@fredym515]

Rick Reichle When I heard the announcer say that live it gave me goose bumps !

[@denniscollins4076]

Understatement

[@ebbets1965]

Rick Reichle Possibly the best ever. I loved his Preakness call too: Turcotte has his whip put away, and Secretariat has Sham put away. Simple clean and clever. Sad that Chic Anderson died so young.

[@fredym515]

Agreed 100% !!! Great stuff !

[@MrHerbieK]

Rick Reichle "Secretariat is all alone."

[@hey_buddy_waz_up]

"Secretariat is widening now. He is moving like a tremendous machine!" One of the greatest lines in sports casting history

[@liberty5069]

immortal words, true

[@drewblue1164]

50 years ago today!!! Greatest performance by a racehorse in history!!

[@roberthuskey4896]

Secretariat beat the time of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify by over 4 seconds!!!! Secretariat - the unquestioned greatest horse of all time!!!!!

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

Uh, Secretariat has been dead since 1989.

[@leecowell8165]

yeah that's about the same distance that he won in 1973.. over 30 lengths! I consider this performance the greatest sports achievement of all time... because its one record that will stand forever. and I saw it on TV live but still cannot believe it to this day. the first hint was in the preakness down the backstretch when he passed horses like they were in reverse. well these are ALL really fast horses but Secretariat was obviously in a class all by himself! Turcott was just along for the ride of his life!

[@gregoryhill2605]

Wow the greatest athlete of all times hands down

[@earlegavin5931]

every second is about 5 lengths he would of beat justify by 20.

[@miragesmack007]

Sham was also one of the greatest horses of all time, in the record books as well, he was just born at the wrong time.

[@zonrey2781]

Susan Anderson, your Dad did an amazing call on this amazing race. His call added excitement to this exciting and unbelievable race. He's immortalized now just like Secretariat.

[@Steve1959]

Susan Anderson, it was my privilege to watch secretariat in the Belmont Stakes on June 9,1973. Your father is the Master race caller. Between him and others there is no possible term of comparison.

[@johndaniels7609]

I saw her in these comments once. She may see your message!

[@jimsy7al]

RIP to your dad, Susan. He was taken so young.

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

No one could have called this race better than Chic. RIP. (Jan Griffiths).

[@Stacie45]

Secretariat was one of Sports Illustrated magazine's 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century...the only non-human to be so honored.

[@miamidolphinsfan]

and rightfully so

[@phase4computer]

Stacie45 And he deserved it

[@JayDogTitan-he6wo]

And ESPN'S sportscentury as well.

[@ravenband1947]

The first half of the century belonged to Man O' War and the second to Secretariat. It is as it should be.

[@Stacie45]

@@ravenband1947 Unlike human athletes we can really see the greatest horses of all time because performances of race horses do not respond very much to improved training methods and technology since they are so good to begin with. To pick the greatest of all time among humans we really have to speculate. With horses like Man O' War and Secretariat there is no question.

[@okedoke1234]

Still get goose bumps, saw this as a 9 yr old kid….my dad told me don’t ever forget this , you will never see another horse like this!

[@humid-rb7rt]

💯

[@jimmyhunt8685]

Watched it with my dad as a 7 yr old and I'll never forget him saying well there you go! I still say it to this day

[@spooge33]

I have to comment again. As I walked the concourse at Belmont two years ago looking at the photos on the wall of this race, I remember being a twelve year old boy and all the excitement it produced. I am now a 59 year old man, and it brings me tears. Awesome.

[@rstefanie2622]

I know the feeling. Been back to Belmont several times after leaving the NY area and still get flashbacks going through there.

[@mchsj2085]

I was 13 ... I am 59 ... I am crying.

[@gartay1332]

Another amazing factoid -- Secretariat ran every quarter of the race faster than the one before. He was accelerating for the entire race.

[@eds3969]

Not to quibble with the greatest athletic performance that I have seen, but I don’t think your statement is accurate. The announcer said during the call that the first 3/4 of a mile was 1:09 4/5. That would mean the 2nd 3/4 mile was 1:14 1/5. This may be more impressive than what you suggested. If he had been actually challenged, he may have fun faster.

[@iwshamrock4908]

Great point, I had forgotten. I watched it back then, too at 17 with friends and family. Best ever.

[@RevIlikai]

He did that at the Derby... They focused on him and timed him. He ran every 1/4 faster than the one before..

[@lynnzick4317]

Tim Hoog is correct...Secretariat running each quarter faster was indeed a fact of the Kentucky Derby.

[@planegaper]

same with Baltimore, at the Derby he decided to give false hope to the field, left the gates like a cow, got pissed off watching other horses bums, flipped the switch....and crushed all hope.. the move at Pimlico was even more freakish..horses don't just decide to decimate the field from the middle of a turn..sort of, " I can crush you any time I want" move.. Belmont.. 31 lengths, on a strong field, Ronnie was a lucky man..best thing he didn't abuse or push the horse, his gentle style and humility was the perfect compliment for that team..

[@robbyaugtel5189]

It’s hard not to cry at watching this amazing horse. Belmont shows his dominance but it amazes me to see him pull the outside groove at Preakness to come from last place! Secretariat will always be the greatest

[@michaellawrence588]

Agreed.

[@lindatheubet15]

I cry every time I watch this. Absolutely heavenly. This was supernatural. You saw God run with his magnificent horse that day. God blesses us with beautiful gifts. He blessed us with him.

[@MaloPiloto]

I watched the race with my buddies in college. Still hard to believe it!

[@leecowell8165]

yeah I hear you.. he came around that turn like the others were in REVERSE! I mean these were the fastest horses in the world! In fact I noticed it before Anderson did. Turcotte stated he had no say in unlike what Anderson stated at the time. Turcotte was simply along as necessary baggage. yeah Secretariat said "well its about time to end this".

[@007ndc]

Reports were that thousands of people in attendance wept like children witnessing something almost magical

[@KennethCarlson-f6q]

I still get chills watching this race, 50 years to the day!! I'll never forget it!!

[@christopherwinkler4451]

The most amazing thing about this is the horse just did it on his own. Ron Turcotte was literally just along for the ride. Secretariat ran for the sheer joy of running this day. He did what he did because he knew he could.

[@naynaystjohn9266]

He just opened up and showed the world!!!! Ron didn't need the stick! Sec broke his own way the way he always had. Ron let Sec run his race! When you see footage of him looking at the teletimer? No words!!! Even he had no idea how fast Sec was going! Secretariat TRULY was the horse that God built!!!

[@leecowell8165]

Tell you what Christopher.. when I saw Secretariat pass those other horses on the back stretch like that in the Preakness I KNEW right then I was witnessing the fastest horse that ever lived. I mean he passed a whole string of REALLY FAST horses like they were asleep. Secretariat said to Ron.. okay this show is now OVER just hang on for another minute or so!

[@timespaice]

My plan was to sit behind Sham in the early going. That changed when I felt the power beneath me and Secretariat broke sharply. I let him get his feet under him and picked his head up entering the first turn. Sham and jockey Laffit Pincay decided to try to stay with us early, but I knew there was no way Sham could stay with Secretariat, whose tremendous stride allowed him to cover a great amount of ground. I never felt such strength under me as I did that day. We were flying along. Lucien and others in the stands thought I was crazy. But I am the one on the horse. I knew he was well within himself. He was doing everything easily. His stride was beautiful. His breathing was good. Everything was going to my liking. My job, as I saw it, was to be a good passenger and stay out of his way. The only encouragement I gave him was to occasionally whisper in his ear : "Easy boy" Ron Turcotte

[@kathymcmahon6582]

Best ride EVER!!!! NO ONE can EVER top this ride!!!!

[@josharnold4638]

Thank you for your Comment Ron! You and Secretariat were the perfect Horse & Jockey match up! Even to this very day, the only horse that has even come close to doing what Secretariat did was American Pharoah, but not with the unbelievable margin set by you and Secretariat! I think Penney was elated up in the stands, seeing what her horse did under your direction. Bravo Ron! - Ron Turcotte on Secretariat win by 25 lengths! - 🏁 I was born that very next year, but I remember seeing a statue of a horse at a horse racing track on TV during a race, then I saw the movie years later, and that was the Ahah moment that I discovered that, that statue was Secretariat!

[@celestialhero6845]

Speaks measures about this horse. With ron being as experienced as he is, him being able to say that secretariat was taking him for a ride is a lifetime of an experience

[@peggymelfi5371]

What a truly beautiful comment for you to leave here. Thank you so much for it. May God Bless You Back 💖

[@jogman262]

It must have felt like he was throttling up an F-18.

[@violetsterling67]

When Secretariat was prancing around after, getting applauded, he knew what was going on. He knew what he'd done. ❤🌟

[@AinePublishing]

Oh, yes, He did !!🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@sammencia7945]

Yep. He was self aware. He often posed for cameras.

[@christophergargaro959]

And after running that long of a race that fast, he clearly still had all kinds of energy. They could’ve run this Belmont a second time with four brand new fresh horses right after the first one and he’d still have won.

[@violetsterling67]

@@christophergargaro959 Yes Christopher. He was still gaining speed at the finish line. We are so fortunate to have videos to watch of this magnificent, miracle horse. I've probably watched the Belmont hundreds of times! lol 😊

[@KimikoCat]

Alpha horses know they're alpha horses. When Northern Dancer was retired to stud and turned out in his paddock for exercise, he'd go ballistic if he could so much as SEE another stallion.

[@carolmiller5713]

An incredible athlete who cleared loved to run and made it look so effortless. A true star 🌟❤

[@TacoBellManager]

When Big Red opens up in the backstretch you can hear the total awe take over Chic Anderson's voice. He is in the presence of something supernatural and can only barely describe it.

[@currywurstislife4916]

Especially when you consider that Chic had probably seen everything there was to see in horse racing. Except that.

[@lilyby1203]

31 lengths and he was not whipped once. Truly amazing

[@anthonyd33331]

If he had been whipped, he probably would have won by 60. What an amazing horse.

[@TEDDYBEAR-dc4xg]

Oh, secretariat never lost? Gee that's that he wasn't giving away much weight to any horse. He lost 5 races, kid. One I'm not gonna count cause he got disqualified cause he bumped a horse. He must have got bumped too sometime. It can get pretty dirty out there. Which is why I liked Eddie Arcaro. You cheated Eddie, he was gonna see you after the race.

[@richardyanco3229]

I think that Arcaro was once banned from riding for 1 year.

[@richardyanco3229]

Not sure that he lost 5 times. Also he never gave weight away as he didn't race after his 3yo season. I remember "handicap" racing when horses like Kelso would give away 20 to 25 lbs to competition and still win. The owners and trainers used to threaten to scratch their horse due to "unfair" imposts but would usually enter at assigned weight. Kelso often carried 134 plus while other entries were in at 115 or less. He always tried no matter what he was carrying. Secretariat never ran in a "handicap" race, always 2 and 3 yo "stakes".

[@TEDDYBEAR-dc4xg]

Yah, that was cause this jockey bumped Arcaros' horse and, you didn't mess with Eddie. Eddie went to see him after the race and, pushed him againts a wall and told him that if he ever did that again he would kill him. Eddie ended up getting suspended, I think he also got sued. There's alot of dirty stuff that goes on out there but, you didn't pull that carp on Eddie Arcaro. I think that was one quality of Eddie that made him such a succesful and great jockey. He was my favorite and still is. He didn't win the most races but he won the most important ones like most triple crowns and, all. Even riding those triple crown winners he went on to say that kelso was the greatest horse he ever rode. He said there were times he would hold kelso back a bit to keep them from putting even more weight on him!!!!!!!!! Imagine, kelso would have won more races by double digits, but then. Arcaro was a hell of a cat. When Ismael Valenzuela came inn to ride kelso Eddie told him not to push him cause he was a tough little skinny guy of a horse and that the more he held him the more he wanted to go. Guess Eddie knew how to hold him back so that they wouldn't out even more weight on him. Willie Shoemaker didn't do too well with kelso cause Shoemaker didn't have strong hands like Arcaro. KELSOS BIGGEST FAN, TEDDY.

[@jogman262]

Years and years, and years after this great horse's great feat, people still come to comment.

[@joygrace7924]

I watch it and still cannot believe it. He might as well have been wearing wings.

[@brendane3283]

This is one of those 'once-in-a-lifetime' events. Only can see it by rewatching the old footage.

[@robettinger9518]

The greatest race ever run by any horse EVER...Thank you Secretetriat...

[@mikekim1219]

I watched this 43 years ago in my room alone. I am now 60 and still watching this alone in my room

[@bmo4411]

idiot

[@lyndawilson2295]

Jesus....what's your name.................is the mold in your mother's basement finally getting to you?

[@drasticwillb]

Yea, horse racing is unlike other spectators sports where you can have a gathering. Oh hey Frank said he'll be late, he'll catch the second half. That would be some precision timing in this sport. All this build up for three minutes of action. (That's what she said.) Oh cool, I get to be somebody's 100th comment like. By the way, I'm alone in my room in my 50's. Then, as now, we have a President who thinks he's king and can make the whole government revolve around him. To paraphrase Gerry and the Pacemakers, You'll Never Watch Alone.

[@lisab5191]

ditto

[@sweetsueohio2]

I watched it at school in 1973.

[@montanaman3911]

Every time I view this, I get a rush when Secretariat breaks away and takes the lead--- and then the announcer exclaims, "Secretariat is widening now...he is moving like a tremendous machine!" I have to watch that part to the end of the race, three or four times before I can go on to something else.

[@ajbianchi85]

You could’ve never seen a race in your life but most would still get emotional after seeing this

[@ewsdjkrsfmnekrtj3880]

"Secretariat moving like a tremendous machine!" - 10/10 chills.

[@ManjuSingh-io6ix]

How thrilling it must have been for all these ppl to watch this race live ❤

[@christinebutler7630]

I was just 13. And it was absolutely incredible.

[@wizard9403]

On this day, Secretariat did not defeat 4 opponents; he defeated history, time and the law of physics!!!

[@jogman262]

Physicist's were watching and were like, "WTF! "

[@elitadream]

mark p - You must be fun at parties 🙄

[@marklewen9384]

@@billybob042665 no,he didn't...he proved that German scientists who invented anabolic steroids know what they are doing. How do you think his heart(which is a muscle) grew 3x the size?? It wasnt hay and oats....

[@LV_FUD80]

I've only been alive to see American Pharoah and Justify do it. Both, amazing horses. I can't take anything away from them. But, I've been watching horse racing my entire life, and Secretariat's Belmont run still makes my jaw drop. Meeting him in person, as a boy, was something I will never forget. "Big Red" was the greatest racehorse of all time, and it's not even close!

[@larrythelambs]

watch frankel win the Guinness at newmarket uk then

[@kimkearney5419]

I was around while Secretariat ran. Wish I could of seen him run live at the Belmont, but I had to watch that run on tv. Sorry Steven Perry, but I do not believe any horse could of beaten Secretariat on that day. There indeed have been many great racehorses, but on this day, during this race, Sec. was brilliant.

[@davidvanwagener6097]

"He's moving like a tremendous machine..." That's my favorite line in the entire broadcast.

[@brucevonah511]

This never gets old

[@GeorgeVreelandHill]

Secretariat is the greatest horse in history. I had the honor to watch this in 1973. I am still in awe of that horse.

[@leecowell8165]

I watched it on TV with my parents. none of us were into horse racing but he had his face stuck all over the place so we tuned in to all 3 of these races. You know when he passed those other horses in the Preakness like they were in reverse I knew right then we were watching an incredible horse. Sham put up a good "fight" but Secretariat was simply too much. And Turcott never touched the whip. Didn't have to. the Belmont just blew all of us away even my Mom! he showed the entire world what he could do and Turcott was just along for the ride of his life!

[@edwardmcmanus7496]

Best athlete of the 20th century. I saw it live June 9th 1973, and have viewed this video clip more times over the years than I can count. I will remember Secretariat forever! ⚘️🇺🇲

[@Boxrec297]

By this time in Secretariat's career he had learned how to run. No longer did Big Red have to come from last place, he had learned how to get his feet under him out of the gate. No longer was riding Sec like riding a rock crusher, he had smoothed his giant 25-foot strides considerably. Red never missed a beat switching lead legs going into and coming out of turns, he was like a machine. He was cool as a cucumber, not mud in the face, jostling, turf condition or competition bothered him. He was smart and basically ran his own race, Ronnie just guided him and slowly let the reigns out, finally relinquishing the bit. It's amazing how this horse just ran other horses into the ground, like the way he destroyed a great horse in Sham. Most jockeys knew not to try to run with him, any horse that can average 12 second furlongs for a mile and a half should not be messed with. You had to catch this horse on a bad day. He was in all likelihood the biggest, strongest, fastest racehorse the world has ever seen. Secretariat is not the first great horse ever to have been syndicated, but it sure would have been nice to see what he could have done as a five-year-old. I think that's how old Seabiscuit was when he beat young War Admiral. Red was just learning to run.

[@walterraulerson2986]

He knew he was great and the way he looked at the camera he was the main man the star one guy said he actually watched an airplane go overhead. Truly God's creation tears in my eyes to this day. My birthday is the 3rd week in May and this starts off the weeks the Preakness is the 3rd week and all of this ties together

[@bonniekeough244]

My bday is the 24th, this month. Go us!

[@pickle581]

@@bonniekeough244 Mine is the 28th of May!

[@annebelgard6723]

What helped him besides his attitude was his overly large heart and lungs which contributed to his massive wins...he was perfection!

[@SeaJayAudit]

Turcotte always said he was "a lefty" as well. They tried to get Secretariat to change leads, but he wasn't having any part of it. Like he knew what he was doing on the track. A very under-rated part of Team Secretariat was his groom - Eddie Sweat.

[@annebelgard6723]

I was there for all 3 of his Triple Crown races...have never seen anything like him since. I still cry bc he's gone and no one has been as great as Secretariat! " simply the best, better than all the rest"