More From the Secretariat Chronicles

Excerpts from the SI article by Whitney Tower, "Putting a Whole New Light on the Derby," circa April 1973 following Secretariat's infamous defeat in the Wood Memorial:

"Before the Wood Memorial the 1973 Run for the Roses was being conceded to Secretariat despite the fact that until last week he had never tried running beyond a mile and a sixteenth. He was the big, glamorous chestnut who could do it all on any kind of track. He could run on the pace or come from behind. He could circle his fields or bull his way through them. They gave him names like Sexy or Big Red II, for here was the second coming of Man O' War, another horse of the people like Native Dancer, Kelso and Carry Back. They considered him a shoo-in to become the first colt since Citation in 1948 to capture the Triple Crown.

"Now, suddenly, all that has changed and there is going to be a Kentucky Derby after all instead of a one-horse walkover. It may not be necessary to start the race in rows, Indianapolis 500-style, but following Secretariat's defeat a lot of guys are going to be cranking up 3-year-old maidens from New England to Nevada and shipping them to Louisville.

"In a way the 49th Wood Memorial was a series of vignettes that show why the sport of horse racing is a very special attraction for many different people. Stars of Secretariat's caliber draw large crowds to any track, and Aquaduct's attendance of 43,416 was the best of the New York season. Racegoers are fickle: they began by cheering Secretariat in the walking ring, then, after he had finished third, they boisterously booed him (or was it his jockey, Ron Turcotte?). Winning (and losing) Trainer Lucien Laurin was so nervous before the race that when he went to the saddling enclosure he stood by mistake in Sham's stall. When the challenger walked in, Laurin looked at him and exclaimed, 'Who's this?' And after the race was over and Laurin's eyes remained focused on Secretariat, a fellow in the box behind the trainer leaned over, slapped him on the back, and said, 'Congratulations!' 'Congratulations for what? Who won?'

"'You did--with the wrong horse!'"

...

Laurin trained the winner and Secretariat's stablemate Angle Light. Sham was second in that race. As fans know, Secretariat developed a boil in his mouth which irritated him, and he grabbed the bit and threw his head up, according to jockey Turcotte. It bothered the horse so much he wasn't focused enough on the race and lost as a result.

But back in April of 1973, vicious rumors began to circulate about Secretariat. He had arthritis, he was lame, and the most common explanation: he was the son of Bold Ruler, the greatest sire of the twentieth century, but a horse who mostly sired sprinters.

Well, Secretariat proved the doubters all wrong as we know...