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#1
06-02-2009, 10:48 AM
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6/2 ATR: Andy Beyer on Figs; Eddie Maple on 'Legacy'..
This evening on ATR...
ANDY BEYER explains the process behind the massaging of figs for the synthetic tracks and takes your calls... 2009 Hall of Fame inductee EDDIE MAPLE on the 1980 Belmont win over Genuine Risk and Rockhill Native on Temperance Hill and the 1985 victory on Creme Fraiche, the last gelding to win the Belmont... Plus, Eddie reflects on Secretariat's Belmont as watched from the Jock's Room. Plus... EDWIN ANTHONY on Belmont pedigrees and HRTV's JON WHITE. Hope you'll tune in... http://www.clearstreaming.com/radios...sandbeyond.asx
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All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans 
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#2
06-02-2009, 11:03 AM
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As most know, Eddie Maple was also on board for Sec.'s final race. I found an article on his perspective that day that I saved from a few years ago.. (It's an excerpt, so I don't think it infringes on any copyrights.. Steve, you can decide to trim/cut it down if you think it does-- sorry if it does.)
Secretariat's Last Race: "Trainer Lucien Laurin booked Eddie Maple, whose stylish riding, strength in a finish, and fearless use of the whip has won him a legion of friends and admirers among racegoers. With mixed feelings, he agreed to ride Secretariat in Canada, but admits to being very conscious that he had no right to be in the saddle - that the honor of riding Secretariat for the last time belonged to his friend Ron Turcotte. For an account of Secretariat's abilities from the jockey's seat, most writers have naturally turned to Ron Turcotte. But with the passing of time, that splendid jockey has reiterated his feelings so often that it might be sensible to listen for once to Eddie Maple, for whom the experience of riding the great champion was absolutely unique - 20 minutes on the back of the greatest horse who ever lived -an afternoon never to be forgotten - a memory which no subsequent triumph could possibly cloud. The track was wet but firm for the Canadian International, and there were 12 runners in the field. Eddie Maple recalls being amazed at the size of Secretariat. The broadness of his back and the huge neck and shoulders, made him feel, unaccountably and uncharacteristically, like a little boy. It was at the start, and even more by the finish, a humbling experience. The late afternoon was filled with a thick foggy mist. The light was already fading when the gates clanged open, visibility was very poor, indeed, and Secretariat plunged out into the gloom from post position 12. On his outside, the speed ball Kennedy Road broke quickly and opened up a 4-length lead inside the first 1/4 mile. Secretariat settled down amenably as Maple, remembering the words of Ron Turcotte, declined to race head-and-head for the first 3/4 mile. He kept Secretariat cantering along in front of the rest, some 6 lengths behind Kennedy Road, and not until they approached the mile mark, 5 furlongs from home, did he ask Secretariat to run. "His reaction was faster than anything I have ever experienced," says Maple. "He picked up the bit, and it seemed like just three strides before we were alongside Kennedy Road. Just as we got there, the other horse bore out, bumping us hard. It crossed my mind that if Secretariat slipped or missed his footing, I could end up with a very special place in history. Anyway, I thought 'I've got to get him out of here,' but before I could react, Secretariat had reacted without me. He accelerated away from Kennedy Road like a racing car. I could feel he was furious. As we came away from the other horse, I found myself hanging on, because the change of pace had been so severe. We were hurtling towards the final bend, and I guessed we must have taken 3 lengths off Kennedy Road in 4 strides. I now know it was 6 lengths, and for the only time in my life, I honestly wondered how at that speed we were ever going to get around the turn. I really thought he was going to run straight ahead and end up in Montreal Main Street or somewhere. For a start, we were on the wrong lead. he had to switch from his right to his left foot, and to do this he must slow up for a fraction of a second and then cruise around the turn before quickening away through the stretch. "Well, he didn't slow down. He leaned into the turn and changed leads, flicking out his left foot and accelerating at the same time. I have never known anything like it. By now we were 8 to 9 lengths clear of Kennedy Road, and Secretariat was still accelerating. As soon as he got onto the curve of the bend, he did not do what other racehorses do and slip down a gear to cruising speed. He leaned hard into the turn as if he were tucking his shoulder onto the fence, and kept going quicker. He definitely ran around the turn faster than he went along the straight. It was unbelievable. At the top of that turn he was 10 lengths out in front. We had already travelled 1-1/4 miles and he was still accelerating. I think he had such a huge chest that it was a great relief for him to change leads and get off that right leg, and he sort of celebrated by increasing his speed. "Anyway, we came belting off the turn, racing into the fog, and suddenly the lights from the numbers boards hit both of us right between the eyes. It was as if there were cars being driven towards us. Secretariat was running extremely fast, and as the glow of all those lights faced him, he shied slightly, tossing his head back. I tried to say something reassuring and - do you know - that big sonofafemale dog took off again with the same ferocious drive forward. it was unforgettable. He came down that stretch at an extraordinary speed. I had no idea where the others were. I couldn't hear them, and the mist seemed to deaden the noise of the crowd. All I could hear was Secretariat's breath, like a big steam engine, and his front feet crashing into the wet turf. About halfway down, they flicked that light on to illuminate the winning line, and that also made him nervous. We seemed to be all on our own, running through clouds. When he saw the beam of light he hesitated again, tossing his head back. I just clicked my tongue at him, and with 1-1/2 miles behind us, he accelerated again for the third time in 3 furlongs, racing over the line as if he could have run the whole race all over. "And that, I guess, was that. I got off him with a tale to tell my grandchildren, and he walked away through the mist to retirement. It's funny, but all these years later I still occasionally hear people say he was not the horse many people think. There are still a few 'experts' who doubt him, who say he never really did enough to justify all the praise he has received. Well, they can all have their opinions. Personally, I never join in such discussions. I know he was the best. Since the day he retired, you can take any horse you like, and Secretariat would have won it easily. "And I will say one more thing. Of those critics who doubt Secretariat, not one of them ever rode him. They sure as hell never rode him." A Golden Age, from "A Decade of Champions" by Richard Stone Reeves and Patrick Robinson (1980)
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Alcohol, the cause and solution to all of life's problems. -Homer Simpson
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#3
06-02-2009, 11:19 AM
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If you've never seen Secretariat at Woodbine that day you really need to watch the race. The sight of smoke coming out of his nostrils is incredible.
It's entirely possible he was the second best racehorse of all time.....behind Rachel Alexandra of course.
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Just more nebulous nonsense from BBB
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#4
06-02-2009, 11:32 AM
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#5
06-02-2009, 11:33 AM
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LOL.. of course. www.secretariat.com has the video of that race (for a price).. I didn't google it, but I'd guess it can be found on other sites as well. http://www.secretariat.com/races/Canadian_Intl.htm
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Alcohol, the cause and solution to all of life's problems. -Homer Simpson
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#7
06-02-2009, 01:02 PM
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I think Secretariat's smoking habit is what got him beat a few times.
Imagine if he'd used chew instead.
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#8
06-02-2009, 01:14 PM
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#9
06-02-2009, 02:21 PM
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1xW9YqPKS8
I don't know how anyone can't get excited watching this beast humiliate any horse that ran against him.
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please use generalizations and non-truths when arguing your side, thank you
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#10
06-02-2009, 02:36 PM
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Watch his win in the Man o War. Tentam runs an amazing race to be second. He never stopped trying.
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Just more nebulous nonsense from BBB
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#11
06-02-2009, 03:39 PM
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#12
06-02-2009, 03:47 PM
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He looked very unimpressive in all 3 of his defeats as a 3yo. But only the truly great ones, like a Smarty Jones, bring it every time.
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#13
06-02-2009, 04:21 PM
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#15
06-03-2009, 07:56 AM
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OMG! That is the first time I have seen that race! I got goosebumps watching it...it was almost just as exhilarating as his Belmont win. I would love to have a picture of Secretariat from that race with the steam blowing out like that....Wow! What a fantastic race!!
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