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IrishAyes

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19. Yes, Secretariat was still accelerating over the finish line.

Fri May 23, 2014, 12:23 AM

May 2014

His true potential speed was never tapped. I literally cheered and cried for joy at the beauty of his run. Having run casual races on my own horses - once had an Egyptian Arabian mare who couldn't be beat - I know the feeling pretty well, and it's like nothing else on earth. My Sunshine was only 13 hands, one inch above pony size. To illustrate, I was 5'1 at the time and I could rest my chin on her withers. Of course Secretariat could've beat any horse in history at 2-3 miles, but the simple truth is she could've run even him into the ground at anything over 3 miles. I'd stake my life on it, which in effect I did more than once because she was one weird horse. Once I decided to just let her go and see how long she'd run AFTER dropping (when they settle down into their lowest position/fastest speed). After 4 miles I gave in and pulled her up because I was afraid of her injuring herself. But there was no other horse around; she just loved to run.

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The best ever. For those that remember 1973, Secretariat, [View all] Faygo Kid May 2014 OP

I remember randys1 May 2014 #1

Just you wait for California Chrome upaloopa May 2014 #2

These are magnificent athletes yallerdawg May 2014 #3

Not only was he a great race horse newfie11 May 2014 #4

he was magnificent Skittles May 2014 #5

I'm thinking that Secretariat's times in both the Derby SheilaT May 2014 #6

Yes, Secretariat was still accelerating over the finish line. IrishAyes May 2014 #19

Technically a pony is under 14.2. ( A hand is four inches and measured to the top of the withers)rs maddiemom May 2014 #29

Not for Egyptian Arabians, the original small desert horse. The original bloodlines, IrishAyes May 2014 #32

Thanks. Interesting information. BTW, no need to get so defensive and huffy. maddiemom May 2014 #35

P.S. My very best Morgan was just a shade over 14.3. maddiemom May 2014 #36

(ahem) If you meant your size comment as a generalized statement, you should've noted IrishAyes May 2014 #37

Ouch! I give up. Not your disagreement, but your tone. I'm happy to give you the last word. maddiemom May 2014 #38

Excuse me: GRANDIOSE bragging (correction) maddiemom May 2014 #39

Parden me . I realize you said over a longer, not shorter distance. I appologize, no snark intended maddiemom May 2014 #40

You can accuse me of whatever you wish. I basically don't give a damn. IrishAyes May 2014 #41

The awe of watching him on the home stretch at Belmont... Tommymac May 2014 #7

+1,000 freshwest May 2014 #17

When I was a kid, my mom loved Secretariat. SummerSnow May 2014 #8

... Spitfire of ATJ May 2014 #9

Run for the Roses swilton May 2014 #10

I remember the day like it was yesterday. I have ballyhoo May 2014 #11

Loved him. Other than him I had no interest in racing. He was the ultimate horse spirit, and more. freshwest May 2014 #12

He has a professional page just like a person: freshwest May 2014 #13

"Sexual orientation: Straight"..... really? leftyohiolib May 2014 #14

When I heard he died, it was like a member of my family died... George II May 2014 #18

I'm crying - the beauty & spirit of Secretariat lovemydog May 2014 #21

Me, too. narnian60 May 2014 #30

It's my understanding that his daughters were more successful as racers than his sons. Boomerproud May 2014 #31

Sexual orientation: Straight DeSwiss May 2014 #33

Thank you for posting, Faygo. mountain grammy May 2014 #15

Thanks for the memory...I was there that day, and we were stunned by the way he won... George II May 2014 #16

Thanks, Faygo. IrishAyes May 2014 #20

Funny story! lovemydog May 2014 #23

Secretariat - possibly the greatest athlete of the 20th century lovemydog May 2014 #22

Babe Ruth comes pretty close.:) malthaussen May 2014 #27

What a beautiful animal. nt Granny M May 2014 #24

Thanks for reminding us of what perfection looks like, Faygo. Surya Gayatri May 2014 #25

31 lengths ahead at the finish line BeyondGeography May 2014 #26

I agree about Secretariat, but to my mind this is the best Belmont ever: malthaussen May 2014 #28

Agreed. DeSwiss May 2014 #34