October 03, 2010

Tremendous Machine: Secretariat: The Movie opens next week in the US. A feminist or a Christian angle might wring some suspense out of one of the least underdoggy sports stories ever filmed, but at least it's an excuse to watch Secretariat's three perfect Triple Crown races again. The Kentucky Derby, relentless come-from-behind classic. For a sense of the speed -- the unfortunate Sham, coming in two lengths behind, is also breaking the track record. The unique backstretch run in the Preakness Stakes, may well be the fastest a horse has ever moved. If you watch one race, it should be the transcendent Belmont Stakes. With Inspirational Soundtrack! A fine stride-by-stride 15 minute documentary covering all three races was done a few years ago by CBS -- Part 1, Part 2), with interviews with many of the principals including Penny Chenery and Ron Turcotte. His phenomenal abilities may be explained by his freakish greyhound-like stride angle, and his giant mutant heart. 12-year-old Big Red, bombing around a field for the heck of it (via MetaFilter).

posted by rcade to other at 12:19 PM - 3 comments

The Belmont Stakes race is amazing. By throwing in the "Rudy" soundtrack over top, it makes it misty-eyed for me.

Part 2 of the CBS documentary is also definitely worth a watch.

posted by grum@work at 12:36 PM on October 03, 2010

Couple of things. 1. Turcotte never touched him (never went to the whip or pushed him in the stretch), could he had even gone faster? His time is still the track record. 2. Our we watching similar type history right now with Zenyatta? Watch the second half of Z's race this last weekend, it will give you goosebumps.

posted by jagsnumberone at 02:46 AM on October 04, 2010

Sure he could run fast, but could he talk? No horse holds a candle to Mr Ed.

posted by irunfromclones at 04:45 AM on October 04, 2010

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