Bluerauder
03-13-2011, 06:49 AM
With the annual Louisville gathering on the horizon and the release of the movie "Secretariat", I am reminded of a bit of trivia that I picked up during the MM visit to Churchill Downs a couple years ago ......
Virtually no one remembers the 2nd fastest horse in the history of the Kentucky Derby. The 3 year old "Sham" ran the race of his life at the 1973 Kentucky Derby with the finish time of 1:59 and 4/5 second run. That time would have been fast enough to win at any derby before or since 1973. Unfortunately for "Sham", on that particular day, he came in 2nd to "Secretariat" who had a time of 1:59 and 2/5 seconds (record still stands).
The 3rd fastest in the Kentucky Derby is Monarchos in 2001 with a time of 1:59:97.
Secretariat beat Sham at the Preakness by 2 1/2 lengths with a disputed time of 1:53 2/5 seconds due to a timer malfunction. Most records show the official time as 1:54 2/5 seconds.
Secretariat set a 1 1/2 mile track record in June 1973 at Belmont (record still stands) with a 2:24:00 flat. His margin of victory was 31 lengths -- the largest ever at Belmont. Sham came in last after tiring at the 6 furlong mark.
Remember "Sham" next time you are up for the $1000 question on Jeopardy. If you get a chance, watch the movie too. :D
Virtually no one remembers the 2nd fastest horse in the history of the Kentucky Derby. The 3 year old "Sham" ran the race of his life at the 1973 Kentucky Derby with the finish time of 1:59 and 4/5 second run. That time would have been fast enough to win at any derby before or since 1973. Unfortunately for "Sham", on that particular day, he came in 2nd to "Secretariat" who had a time of 1:59 and 2/5 seconds (record still stands).
The 3rd fastest in the Kentucky Derby is Monarchos in 2001 with a time of 1:59:97.
Secretariat beat Sham at the Preakness by 2 1/2 lengths with a disputed time of 1:53 2/5 seconds due to a timer malfunction. Most records show the official time as 1:54 2/5 seconds.
Secretariat set a 1 1/2 mile track record in June 1973 at Belmont (record still stands) with a 2:24:00 flat. His margin of victory was 31 lengths -- the largest ever at Belmont. Sham came in last after tiring at the 6 furlong mark.
Remember "Sham" next time you are up for the $1000 question on Jeopardy. If you get a chance, watch the movie too. :D