Growing up in Horse Country, Maryland (never an owner, just close proximity), racing has always and still does hold a special place in my heart. I still continue with 4 finish line seats annually for the Preakness (2nd leg of the Crown). It is a spectacular day for sure, the majestic scene of the horses is something to behold live.
That said, I only knew about Secretariat from books and video (I was born in 1973), but I know one thing, every year when I re-watch his run for the Crown, it is magnificent. His victory at Belmont will NEVER (I feel confident) be equaled. He was the class of the field and that run is a thing of beauty. His owner is something else too, what a story. Check out
www.secretariat.com it is still maintained to this day and there are all kind of goodies there.
As I grew up by 1979, there was a Maryland horse owned by the Meyerhoff family named Spectacular Bid. He was local and he was good, we thought here in Maryland we had another Triple Crown winner to follow 1977 and 1978's Seattle Slew and Affirmed respectively. The Bid may have been even better than the rest, a often quote attributed to Specatcular was - "The greatest racehorse to ever look through the bridle" or something like that. Alas, he won the Derby, blew out the Preakness and it was all over, the fat lady was singing, Belmont was a sure thing. Greatness was upon us.................the morning of the Belmont, The Bid caught a nail in his hoof and trouble started. His young inexperienced jockey starting losing it. His cool headed trainier "fixed" him up and the nerves were pounding. The Bid broke at the start and never looked back until the end, the jockey broke him too soon, the distance of the race caught up and we were without a Triple Crown and a watershed of sadness in Maryland. It is still debated hotly here til this day. As much as Secretariat is respected, Maryland remembers the Bid fondly and sadly as to what could have been. He actually went on as a 4 year old to start 9 races and win 9 races, undefeated, his last race was a walkover, where he retired with a jog (an honor) to victory. Re-watching his Belmont still brings a tear to the eyes here. As a 6 year old, I thought someone died in the family by all of the reactions that day.
Anyhow, back to the topic, sorry for the digression, but horse racing is a magical sport, yes there are the unscrupulous, but for the most part, it is an enjoyable pastime with magnificent animals.
TD
