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50 years haven’t diminished the absolute greatness of ‘Big Red’

By Bob Madison - For the Chronicle | Jun 9, 2023

Secretariat poses for the camera with his owner, Penny Chenery. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — It’s difficult not to gush and almost swoon over the accomplishments of the massive and photogenic chestnut-colored thoroughbred, Secretariat.

A half-century has passed by since the nearly invincible head-turner ran off with racing’s Triple Crown, setting record times in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont, while winning the hearts of teenagers and crusty octogenerians alike with his Hollywood handsomeness and charisma.

Fifty years ago in 1973, Secretariat drew the attention of not only the sports world, but also anybody who wanted to have a brush with greatness.

The chestnut dynamo had been the Horse of the Year, even as a two-year-old in 1972.

Some called him the “Clark Gable of horses,” so horsey handsome was he. His coppery coat literally glistened, even on cloudy days. So aware of his appeal to people, he seemed to mug for any camera, held by a person whose jaw might drop in his regal presence.

His greatness on the race track was impossible to miss. He reveled in the attention that poured from the media and race-track crowds. It seemed he was keenly aware of his greatness, both with his immaculate good looks and equine athleticism.

His owner was Penny Chenery, whose own life story might embarrass a Hollywood writer, if it weren’t so true. Chenery’s Meadow Stable was staring at possible bankruptcy when he came to her racing family. After Secretariat was voted the Horse of the Year for 1972, Chenery syndicated the rest of his racing days for $6.08 million and became a national sensation herself.

Fifty years ago this weekend, “Big Red” won the third and final leg of the Triple Crown series, when he shattered the world record time in the mile-and-a-half Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the now-fabled races for three-year-olds.

The son of Bold Ruler had set the stakes record time in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and then the Belmont, smashing the previous Belmont time by just over two seconds. His winning time in that race was 2:24 and is still the record here in 2023.

He was the “Red Adonis,” so regal in his bearing and with his willing personality that his popularity spread far beyond the bounds of sports.

His on-track winning and accomplishments only enhanced his surging popularity. Blessed with a star quality appearance that was muscular in its superb conformation, Secretariat could tax the dictionary for superlatives such as “a great athlete” and “breathtaking.”

He was a rarely-seen 16.2 hands tall and weighed 1,175 pounds, near the close of his two-year racing career.

His trainer was the humble Lucian Laurin and his main groom was Eddie Sweat, made famous by his association with Secretariat.

With his manageable demeanor and rise to fame, Secretariat became a media wonder, being placed in “living” color on the magazine covers of Time, Sports Illustrated and Newsweek.

It’s been a quickly escaping 50 years ago, when the equine hero took command of the sports world . . . and captured the imagination and emotions of those who literally wept when he surged through the stretch at Belmont Park — winning the grueling last leg of the Triple Crown by an inspiring 31 lengths.