The 1973 Belmont Stakes
"There was not another horse in the world that could have beaten Secretariat that day. I knew the 1973 Belmont Stakes was going to be a special day for Secretariat. The only question was how special."
Ron Turcotte, Jockey
The Belmont Stakes, a grueling 1.5 mile race known as "The Test Of The Champion". On June 9, 1973 Secretariat ran the most dominant race of all time at Belmont Park in front of 69,138 fans there to witness history, as he became the 9th horse in history and 1st in 25 years to capture The Triple Crown, taking his place in history as the greatest racehorse ever.
Secretariat went off as a 1-10 favorite, running even with Sham at the 1/2 mile mark before pulling away in devastating fashion famously described by track announcer's Chic Anderson call, "Secretariat is widening now. He is moving like a tremendous machine!"
Coming to the Wire, Bob Coglianese's iconic photo captured jockey Ron Turcotte looking back over his shoulder at the field in the distance as
Secretariat destroyed the field by 31 lengths. This performance set a record for the largest margin of victory, finishing in 2:24 a Belmont Stakes track record which still stands today, also breaking the American record for a mile-and-a-half on a dirt track.
Secretariat won $90,120 and bettors holding 5,617 winning parimutuel tickets never redeemed them, recognizing the historical significance and keeping them as souvenirs. ESPN named Secretariat's win the 2nd Greatest Sports Performance Of All Time.
Memorabilia From This Race
1973 Belmont Stakes Race Worn Nail Framed Collage (Turcotte signature)
1973 Belmont Stakes Uncashed $2 Winning Ticket - PSA Graded
Vintage Belmont Stakes Winner Button
1973 Belmont Stakes Race Worn Nail Framed Collage (Chenery/Turcotte signatures)
The Belmont - 31 Length Victory
Triple Crown Shadowbox
Triple Crown Commemorative Gold Ingot Set
Triple Crown Commemorative Silver Ingot Set
Triple Crown Commemorative Gold Ingot Set