I was 16yo when Secretariat won the TC. I have a collection of his life story in video and numerous books.
I get overwhelmed everytime I watch this, even though I know the outcome.
I met his groom, Ed Sweat years later when I was working on the Belmont back streatch for Dr. Reed as an associate veterinarian in the practice. Ed told me some great stories about "his baby" as Ed would call him. I also have the privilege of being friends with Braulio Baeza. He told me the story that he and another rider in the race at the 3/8 pole were saying "he has got to come back, right?, then after a bit Braulio said "he's not coming back" What a Day. I will never forget it as long as I live.
My Dad took me to his last public appearence at Aquaduct that Nov. 1973. It was really cold, but I stayed outside the whole time as to not lose my place on the front rail of the paddock.
I have great old pictures of him that I sent of a photo lab to get updated and they came out great. One thing I remember, it was kind of grey and damp (when is Aquadut not?), but when they took his blanket off and to see him with his saddle and name saddle cloth the sun came out right then and there. He was just a miracle horse. Turcotte just cantered him slowly up and back the home stretch and you could see he wanted to run!!!
I saw him again in 1985 at Claiborne and got to pet his neck and he was kind enough to even let me rub his nose. He was a real ham for all the pictures I took. It was probably the greatest day I ever had.
His passing anniversery still makes me sad every year.