On this day in 1973 a superstar was introduced to America. In the 99th running of the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky- Secretariat ridden by jockey Ron Turcotte won the race 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Sham and finishing with a time of 1:59 2/5th seconds- a record that amazingly still stands 44 years later. Secretariat ran each quarter mile segment faster than the quarter before. Secretariat would go on to win the Triple Crown in 1973. Secretariat had major competition in 1973- Sham finished second in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness- Sham’s Preakness time broke the Preakness record-but was only good for second place in that race due to the great Secretariat.
In 1999 ESPN did a weekly series featuring the 100 greatest athletes of the 20th century. Secretariat was #35 on the list that bend a lot of people out of shape- how can a horse be ranked ahead of humans? All you had to do was to have seen Secretariat race- I think #35 isn’t high enough.
slicethelife 
I remember. I bet on Alydar once. He won . Paid $2.20, $2.20, $2.20.
Is there a horse Hall of Fame for famous winners like Secretariat? I believe Churchill Downs is worthy of a visit to find out?
There is a horse racing hall of fame and museum in Saratoga Springs, New York..