Happy Anniversary, Big Red

re: Happy Anniversary, Big Red

WhiteCamry — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:22:06 GMT

Anyone who remembers LILCO will not be surprised by this:

I was 12. I lived in Merrick, some 30 minutes drive from Belmont, though I wouldn't go there until my 40s. The day was in the 90s. My head was filled with media hype about the upcoming Belmont. My father and I set up a portable television out on the back porch - out house had no a/c. Just as Big Red II stepped onto the track for the post parade ...

Blackout!

And the sickest thing was, we weren't at all surprised.

My father scrambled to get his Sony portable AM Radio. He tuned it to 1500 AM, the CBS Radio station, still his favorite to this day. He sat back and listened like the child of radio he was. Television brat that I was, I stared at the Time magazine cover and cursed the twisted fates.

Then Chic Andersen started counting 'em off ...

re: Happy Anniversary, Big Red

Keith — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:41:59 GMT

Suzanne wrote a comment about Secretariat's first foal being features on the cover of the Apalossa News Feb 1975 . If she would be so nice to try to send me a scanned photo I would appreciate it. We have been blessed with a miracle colt with what has been described as First Secretary's markings. I worked security for the Preakness in 1973 and was at the finish line when Secretariat won. I would look forward to any pictures any one has of the finish line, winners circle etc.. as I was there as well. I walked Secretariat back to the paddocks too.

re: Happy Anniversary, Big Red

Redchriscam2 — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:54:49 GMT

I was thrilled to read the comments from 'Suzanne' regarding the birth of Secretariat's first colt foal. I moved over from Arabians to Appaloosas as my age increased. My first mare was a great, great granddaughter of Secretariat. She was a wonderful, willing, fun horse I had as a two year old until her death in 2007. Her daughter is chestnut with a white blanket, and her daughter in turn, is chestnut with a white spotted bottom. She is the double of Secretariat, although smaller. We now have her half brother,bay, four white stockings, white blaze and a full spotted blanket with a white thin blaze. I NEVER sell my horses, we have two Arabians out on loan and even my son's twenty five year old Shetland with the same farming family teaching grandchildren. My ancient Arabian mare was put to sleep at home after developing bad arthritis aged twenty six. I cross breed my Apps to my friends' beautiful Arabian, I have the daughter of my first Appy, ten year old, near leopard like her mother, marvellous temperament, but is very jealous of me touching other horses! It moved me very much to read the story of Straight Flush; here in the UK we are fighting the transportation of horses across Europe, in awful conditions,for slaughter in France/Italy.Why can we not treasure all animals particularly horses which often have close contact with humans?

re: Happy Anniversary, Big Red

Buster08 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:54:00 GMT

Great articles about Secretariat - never tire of reading about him.

Can someone please provide a little more information regarding the Disney / Secretariat film project ? I keep searching the internet, but only find vague references to it, nothing definite about times, dates, progress, etc. Also, intrested in the comment about the "Secretariat Festival on September 20th".

re: Happy Anniversary, Big Red

ozzie8820 — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:01:10 GMT

For Big Red.

Thanks for the accolades on Straight Flush. He was one of the lucky few that got a repreve in the 11th hour. Although there are a few in the racing industry that do the right thing by their horses every day there are many more that don't. There are some programs in place that give exracehorses a new role in life,but there certainly are not enough people takeing advantage of it. As for Big Red...well he was just a PHENOM! He was truely an incredible horse that came along when we need him. He brought more people in to the sport of horseracing and got them excited about the sport all over again! Big Red accomplished just as much off the track as he did on it. I would love to see another horse like Big Red come along in my life time, but I think that is just a pipe dream for now. But who know's, unexpected thing's happen every day!

re: Happy Anniversary, Big Red

Steve Haskin — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:35:50 GMT

I doubt I could get that to happen, but I do have a VHS tape of all three CBS telecasts, the same as you're requesting. It's amazing how different those old telecasts are compared to now. There were no features or taped interviews. It was all live as it happened. Sometimes it got a bit tedious, with little flow, but there was something great about seeing things as they happen. The cheers that resounded from the grandstand when Secretariat returned after the Belmont and Turcotte took off his cap and saluted the crowd was quite stirring to say the least.

re: Happy Anniversary, Big Red

mooks2k — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:59:06 GMT

Steve, thanks for the nice article. I look forward to the others. I was 15 when SECRETARIAT won the triple crown and have never seen anything close to his brilliance and don't think I ever will. I wish CBS would release the entire broadcasts(about 50 min each) of all 3 of his triple crown races (digitally enhanced and commercial free) on DVD. I e-mailed CBS requesting this months ago and also secretariat . com and have not received any reply as to the chances of that happening. I think they would be big sellers. Any chance you could get this to happen? Anyway, can't wait for more on Big Red.

re: Happy Anniversary, Big Red

Wanda — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:55:15 GMT

Shamfan49 I remember reading about that in a horse magazine. Horse and Rider I believe it was. It was a big article two pages at least. Hope that helps you.

re: Happy Anniversary, Big Red

Alan — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:00:51 GMT

Nice write, Steve.

A story Ron Turcotte told about a conversation he once had with Eddie Arcaro, and worth repeating here:

Turcotte: "Eddie, which was the best horse you ever rode?"

Arcaro: "Kelso."

Turcotte: "Better than Citation?"

Arcaro: "Yeah...and that big, red SOB you ride is the best there's ever been!"

Some trivia that some might not be aware of:

Works: three furlongs--32:3

five furlongs--57:1

one mile--133 (and change)

In addition to the still current K. Derby and Belmont S. (World) Records, his 11/8 mile Belmont Park track record on dirt (1:45 and something) is also still the record.

Imagine if he'd actually been asked to run, how many more records would have been broken.

He faced twice the number of horses that Man O' War did, in the same number of races, and against much stiffer competition.

Eclipse Champions and future HOF members defeated: Forgo, Riva Ridge, Cougar II, Shecky Greene, Key To the Mint (all but Forgo were older). And poor Sham would have been a Champion most any year, but for "you-know-who."

Very first race on grass, broke Belmont's 11/2 mile course record (2:24:4) and defeated the best turf horses in N.A. Like Lucian Laurin had said on another occasion, "It's unbelievable, isn't it?"

re: Happy Anniversary, Big Red

Matthew W — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 02:58:10 GMT

"For Big Red"--I absolutely agree with you that Secretariat should not have lost--and he was beaten four times---whether it was Lucien or just Big Red himself just loafing---if you were there you KNEW he was SO GOOD....that the sound beatings he did endure just did not matter..and still don't....I loved Lucien Lauren and I loved Penny Tweedy and all her class and nervousness about Big Red of Meadow Stable....I remember the special race they set up at Arlington for him vs Our Native and My Gallant right after the Belmont---ABC's Chris Shenkel interviewed Penny and Lucien AS THE RACE WENT ON---there was no televised "call" just Lucien talking about why he always broke a step slow (didn't matter!!)and the precious Mrs Tweedy gettin' all antsy about My Gallant coming "close" to Red---yeah, like within eight lengths or so but that was Penny----my God, even I'M tearing up, I was a fourteen year old paperboy, yearning to work at the A&W, where the sign read "Secretariat Drinks A&W Rootbeer"---there was no horse of all time who shadows Big Red Of Meadow Stable---his Triple Crown has never been approached--he missed the break in The Derby and Preakness and was handridden in record time---and then came the three week "lull" for The Belmont, when Secretariat was put on the covers of Time and Newsweek, labeled "Superhorse"---that preceeded his historic Belmont, racing's all-time tour de force----the fact is, all three of Secretariat's wins were epic---his Derby AND Preakness runs are to be compared favorably with all others, that is why I think Secretariat is more, much more than a horse of a lifetime....

re: Happy Anniversary, Big Red

shamfan49 — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:14:55 GMT

Suzanne, On 7/252008 at 9:44 PM you posted a comment about Secretariat's first foal. In it you wrote, "I remember seeing the birth on TV". Did you by chance tape that show? What show was it? Thanks for the information.

re: Happy Anniversary, Big Red

Monica V — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:00:17 GMT

Wanda!

You and I are kindred spirits! So happy to see you again. Secretariat was my all-time favorite and when he died, I cried and was sent a sympathy card by a friend for my loss. How sweet is that? I haven't posted much in the blogs as I cannot seem to keep from fighting with Draynay and I just don't want to do that anymore. It's like pounding your head against the wall. August 3 will be interesting. My feeling is BB will come in 3rd. I could be wrong but it's just a feeling.

Hope all is well with you.

re: Happy Anniversary, Big Red

Kelly E. — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:32:07 GMT

Steve, you are the Master at bringing life and emotion to these stories of the glory days. I am forever grateful to you and, of course, to all those connected to the great champion Secretariat.

re: Happy Anniversary, Big Red

janet — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:08:54 GMT

could you please help me locate this one photo of secretariat. The Kentucky Derby when they hit the first turn and secretariat is dead last. Thank You.

re: Happy Anniversary, Big Red

Elaine Tillery — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:35:48 GMT

Thanks 'For Big Red' for the video of Billy silver. He looks like he enjoyed the attention. Does anyone know where he is buried?