June 9^th, 1973 was a historic day in horse racing: It's the day that Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes with a stunning 31-length lead. With that victory the chestnut Thoroughbred stallion became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years, and he became a household name at the same time.

Secretariat was born on March 30, 1970. His sire was Bold Ruler, and his dam was Something Royal. Penny Chenery, Secretariat’s owner, raced him in blue and white checkered colors. Paired with his trainer, Lucien Laurin; his jockey, Ron Turcotte; and his groom, Eddie Sweat, they made up the team that would become infamous in the racing world.

Secretariat had an impressive two-year-old season, winning prestigious races such as the Champagne Stakes, the Laurel Futurity, and the Garden State Futurity. Such accomplishments earned him the title of 1972 American Horse of the Year, and the Eclipse Award for American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse.

No one could have predicted what was to come in Secretariat’s three-year-old season, though. Secretariat came in third in the Wood Memorial, his last race in preparation for the Kentucky Derby. It was later discovered that he had had an abscess in his mouth, which likely caused him to lose the race.

Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby by two and a half lengths, setting a record for the track and running each furlong faster than the previous one – he accelerated through the entire race. Victory in the Preakness Stakes went to Secretariat again, and again he won by two and a half lengths.

Secretariat’s Preakness time quickly became a subject of debate. The official teletimer clocked the race at 1:55, but the race course’s clocker hand timed the race at 1:54 2/5, and Daily Racing Form clockers hand timed the race at 1:53 2/5. If the 1:53 2/5 time was correct, it would mean that Secretariat had just achieved a new track record. In 2012, at Penny Chenery’s request, the video of Secretariat’s win was reviewed, the matter discussed by the Maryland Racing Commission, and the official time of Secretariat’s race was changed to 1:53. Secretariat held the track record for Pimlico Race Course.

The Belmont Stakes field was unusually small, perhaps due to Secretariat’s giant presence. Only four horses raced against Secretariat on June 9^th, 1973. Secretariat and Sham, his top contender, set out in the lead. As Sham faded, Secretariat continued on, winning the race by 31 lengths and setting a track record of 1½ miles in 2:24. That record still stands today.

Secretariat won the Triple Crown in stunning fashion, proving himself to be one of the top racehorses in the world. To learn more about Secretariat, visit his website.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/ahhhnice/13746022655

Original Source: http://blog.classic-equine.com/2014/06/equine-history-secretariat-won-the-belmont-stakes-with-a-stunning-31-lengths/