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SECRETARIAT: AN AMERICAN LEGEND (After SECRETARIAT'S Death)
SECRETARIAT was a burly chestnut son of BOLD RULER, bred by the Meadow Stable. Unlike many horses, he seemed to love making up ground on turns and he would sweep aside his opposition with such finality that he was named Horse-of-the-Year as a two-year-old. The following year, he did it all: a track record in the Kentucky Derby, a dramatic rally to dominate the Preakness and finally an unbelievable display to win the Belmont by 31 lengths in a world record time! He was Jack Dempsey, Babe Ruth and Joe Louis all wrapped up in an adonis-like package.
This is the incredible story of SECRETARIAT from his humble "coin toss" beginning as a foal at Meadow Stable in Doswell, Virginia, to his untimely and premature death on October 4, 1989 - a shining example of honesty and innocence was gone forever. Highlights include interviews and narration by owner, PENNY TWEEDY, and trainer, LUCIEN LAURIN; segments throughout showing SECRETARIAT running freely through his paddock and being hand-walked at Claiborne Farm; training scenes at Hialeah during the 1973 Winter and clips of the following races as a two-year-old: his debut on 7/4/72 being pinched back at the start of the race, breaking his maiden in his second start on 7/15/72, winning on opening day at Saratoga on 7/31/72 and taking the Sanford on 8/26/72. See clips of the following races as SECRETARIAT sets his sites on the 1973 Triple Crown: his 4-1/2 length win in the 3/17/73 Bay Shore, the 4/7/73 Gotham Stakes...equaling the track record of 1:33 2/5 and his disappointing third place finish in the 4/21/73 Wood Memorial. Next, "BIG RED'S" record-breaking performances in the 5/5/73 Kentucky Derby, 5/19/73 Preakness and 6/9/73 Belmont are shown plus his narrow loss to ONION in the 8/4/73 Whitney, the 1973 Marlboro Cup with SECRETARIAT and his stable mate, RIVA RIDGE, going head-to-head, his turf debut in the 1973 Man O'War setting a course record of 2:24-4/5 for 1-1/2 miles and finally, his career ending victory in the Canadian International at Woodbine in Ontario.
Other highlights include footage of his most successful progeny: LADY'S SECRET and RISEN STAR; his final curtain call at Aqueduct - where SECRETARIAT began his career in which 6,000 fans turned out on a non-racing day to bid a personal farewell to the champion on November 6, 1973; his November 11, 1973, arrival at Claiborne Farm being whisked off a plane and being introduced to his new surroundings and finally...SECRETARIAT's brass nameplate to his stall door at Claiborne is shown..."1970-1989" and his gravestone in the Claiborne stallion cemetery.
Next, a special wreath is shown that was placed on SECRETARIAT's bronze statue at Belmont Park where his spirit is enshrined for generations...people from all over the world still miss the horse that represented a wonderful dream of success and accomplishment...just something so special as SECRETARIAT is gone forever.
The roses, the daisies and the carnations...all won in a fashion that left no doubt in anyone's mind as to SECRETARIAT's place in the racing history books. SECRETARIAT also earned the right to be added to the list of super horses...horses that have won more than races or money...horses who've won the hearts of the people. And SECRETARIAT had done even more than that: he revitalized the nation's interest in racing with his sensational feats and lovable personality - he will always be the standard by which all great race horses will be measured. SECRETARIAT belongs to history, to the romance of the turf and to the people!
(30 Minutes)
Listing Info: | |
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Listing ID: | 546 |
Format(s) Available: | DVD And VHS |
Category: | U.S. & Canadian Flat Racing |