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. Â 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..