Kentucky Derby - Secretariat - Barbaro - Any Horse Racing Fans Here?
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I usually follow the Triple Crown races every year for about the past 5 years or so, and the preliminary qualifying races are already well underway.
When Barbaro was euthanized about a month ago, I read where he had the biggest winning margin (of over 8 lengths) in the KD in 60-some years.
Well, the first thought that crossed my mind was "Hello? - Secretariat was far less than 30 years ago!"
Someone I work with who is into horse racing big time told me what the deal was, which I looked up on my own. He was exactly right, and I thought it was very interesting.
Secretariat did in fact have the fastest time ever ran in the KD, a record that still stands to this day, but yet he only won by 2 lengths, because the horse that finished second to him, Sham, get this, turned in the 2nd fastest time ever ran in the KD! :eek:
Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyqllleV6WA
Just freakin' amazing! Coming out of the last turn and down the final stretch, it was like they both hit another gear to distance themselves from the rest of the field, and then about halfway down the final straightway, Secretariat hit yet another gear to clearly separate himself just enough from Sham.
It only made Secretariat's accomplishment all the more remarkable.
When Barbaro was euthanized about a month ago, I read where he had the biggest winning margin (of over 8 lengths) in the KD in 60-some years.
Well, the first thought that crossed my mind was "Hello? - Secretariat was far less than 30 years ago!"
Someone I work with who is into horse racing big time told me what the deal was, which I looked up on my own. He was exactly right, and I thought it was very interesting.
Secretariat did in fact have the fastest time ever ran in the KD, a record that still stands to this day, but yet he only won by 2 lengths, because the horse that finished second to him, Sham, get this, turned in the 2nd fastest time ever ran in the KD! :eek:
Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyqllleV6WA
Just freakin' amazing! Coming out of the last turn and down the final stretch, it was like they both hit another gear to distance themselves from the rest of the field, and then about halfway down the final straightway, Secretariat hit yet another gear to clearly separate himself just enough from Sham.
It only made Secretariat's accomplishment all the more remarkable.
Post edited by marker on
Comments
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That is amazing.I remember as an 11 year old kid watching that historic race.Testing
Testing
Testing -
I was staioned at Mare Island, California (no pun intended
) when I watched that live.
Old Shecky Green gassed out big time after the final turn.
Not a big fan of horse racing; my fews time at a track involved betting on nags like this
which taught me not to bet on horse racing.
I watch the Belmont, the Preakness, and the Kentucky Derby, and that's about it.
Liked "Seabiscuit", btw.Sal Palooza -
You can't help but follow horse racing in these parts...
I live about 5 minutes from Churchill Downs and try to make it as much as possible...
Nothing like a day (and losing a paycheck) at the track:DI never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
Bumping this up since this year's Derby is coming up in a couple of weeks.
Here is last year's Derby in which Barbaro absolutely dominated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6PacUirYuQ -
Derby started here about two weeks ago...
It's a month long celebration in the 'ville.I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
mrbigbluelight wrote: »Old Shecky Green gassed out big time after the final turn.
Oh, I wouldn't go so far as to say he gassed out so much as it was simply Secretariat and Sham just pulling away from him. After all, they did turn in the fastest and second fastest times ever ran in the Derby that still stand to this day. Only one other horse has ever even broken the 2 minute barrier since then. Shecky pretty much held his on with the rest of the field all the way up to the end of the race. -
zombie boy 2000 wrote: »Derby started here about two weeks ago...
It's a month long celebration in the 'ville.
Yeah, I'd love to go one of these years. :cool:
Are you gonna be there? -
Unfortunately not this year. But I'll be at one or ten different Derby parties around town.
If you're going to go once, count on going twice because there are two distinctly different ways to experience the Derby -- from the seats or from the infield.
Both have their "charms".I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
Yeah, I've heard about all about some of those "charms", especially from the infield.
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One class act. I remember Secretariat at Woodbine Race Track in Toronto.
PS - I was a little more than 11.Michael
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60° -
I can promise you two things from the infield...
You will get filthy -- both mentally and physically.
You will never see a single horse.
From what I can remember (or have been told), I've always had a blast:D
As for sitting among the royalty, celebs, movers and shakers, there's something to be said about needing to only turn around in your seat to place a bet with the gentleman standing behind you at all times.I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
Affirmed, the last triple crown winner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65V3xFLPNLA
My God, but did Alydar ever close with a strong rush or what!?!? :eek: It looks like he would have quickly overtaken Affirmed if the race had been just a little longer.
You've got to feel sorry for Alydar and Sham though. They both would have most likely been triple crown winners themselves (and in Sham's case, in otherwise record setting times at that) if they only hadn't been born in the same years as Affirmed and Secretariat respectively.
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WOW, it looked like they hit the nitrous switch when they came out of that final turn! With all the advancements in training and such, it's amazing how that record has stood.No excuses!
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The main reason those records have stood the test of time despite all the advancements you mentioned is real simple, the normal, average weight of a horse's heart is 8.5 pounds. The largest horse heart on record belongs to ... you guessed it ... Secretariat, which was approximately 22 lbs. The 2nd biggest horse heart ever on record belongs to ... surprise surprise ... Sham, at approx. 18 lbs.
Interestingly enough, Secretariat and Sham were actually related, as they shared the same maternal grandfather, Princequillo, who is WIDELY regarded as the best distance runner in thoroughbred racing history, and most likely, where they got their extremely large hearts from.
Edit - BTW, I really liked your analogy of "hitting the nitrous switch" MUCH better than my original one of "hitting another gear entirely". -
I watched all three of Secretariat's races, I don't think I'll ever see greater horse in my life.Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
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