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You said it all, Doctor. Secretariat was in a word magnificent. The greatest ever and it’s not even close.For younger people, I don’t think you can quite comprehend what a big deal that was at the time. Harness racing was a much bigger deal at that time than it is today.
Also, I’ve never seen a more dominant athlete in any sport. It was literally odd looking how much better that horse was than everyone else.
I’ve seen the greatest of the great where it looks like they are playing on a different level than everyone else. I’m talking about guys like Gretzky or Lemieux in hockey, Jordan in basketball, or Tiger in golf; guys like that. Guys who just did what they wanted, when they wanted to do it and how they wanted it to be done.
They are incredibly rare but those types of guys do come around every sport every so often.
However, I am telling you that in all my years of watching sports, I’ve never seen anything remotely like what Secretariat did to the field during those Triple Crown races.
It was astonishing in the moment and it remains astonishing decades later.
One of the greatest events (exception of my wedding day@ my children's births) what a thrill of a lifetime they were!!! hTP/Forever!!!For younger people, I don’t think you can quite comprehend what a big deal that was at the time. Harness racing was a much bigger deal at that time than it is today.
Also, I’ve never seen a more dominant athlete in any sport. It was literally odd looking how much better that horse was than everyone else.
I’ve seen the greatest of the great where it looks like they are playing on a different level than everyone else. I’m talking about guys like Gretzky or Lemieux in hockey, Jordan in basketball, or Tiger in golf; guys like that. Guys who just did what they wanted, when they wanted to do it and how they wanted it to be done.
They are incredibly rare but those types of guys do come around every sport every so often.
However, I am telling you that in all my years of watching sports, I’ve never seen anything remotely like what Secretariat did to the field during those Triple Crown races.
It was astonishing in the moment and it remains astonishing decades later.
Horse racing at that time was still I believe the number one attended spectator sport in the country.For younger people, I don’t think you can quite comprehend what a big deal that was at the time. Harness racing was a much bigger deal at that time than it is today.
Also, I’ve never seen a more dominant athlete in any sport. It was literally odd looking how much better that horse was than everyone else.
I’ve seen the greatest of the great where it looks like they are playing on a different level than everyone else. I’m talking about guys like Gretzky or Lemieux in hockey, Jordan in basketball, or Tiger in golf; guys like that. Guys who just did what they wanted, when they wanted to do it and how they wanted it to be done.
They are incredibly rare but those types of guys do come around every sport every so often.
However, I am telling you that in all my years of watching sports, I’ve never seen anything remotely like what Secretariat did to the field during those Triple Crown races.
It was astonishing in the moment and it remains astonishing decades later.
Regarding how big boxing was, I attended a sold-out Stanley Theater (now The Benedum Theater) to watch the live, closed circuit feed of The Rumble in the Jungle, Ali vs Foreman and a sold-out Civic Arena to watch The Thrilla in Manilla, Ali vs Frazier III.Yeah, it’s hard to explain how big horse racing and boxing were at the time, versus where they are now.
It’s an incredibly different sports landscape. I think a lot of younger people don’t really understand just how different things were back then.
Dominant athlete? Are you telling about a horse? Wtf?For younger people, I don’t think you can quite comprehend what a big deal that was at the time. Harness racing was a much bigger deal at that time than it is today.
Also, I’ve never seen a more dominant athlete in any sport. It was literally odd looking how much better that horse was than everyone else.
I’ve seen the greatest of the great where it looks like they are playing on a different level than everyone else. I’m talking about guys like Gretzky or Lemieux in hockey, Jordan in basketball, or Tiger in golf; guys like that. Guys who just did what they wanted, when they wanted to do it and how they wanted it to be done.
They are incredibly rare but those types of guys do come around every sport every so often.
However, I am telling you that in all my years of watching sports, I’ve never seen anything remotely like what Secretariat did to the field during those Triple Crown races.
It was astonishing in the moment and it remains astonishing decades later.
Read this, please... SecretariatDominant athlete? Are you telling about a horse? Wtf?
Regarding how big boxing was, I attended a sold-out Stanley Theater (now The Benedum Theater) to watch the live, closed circuit feed of The Rumble in the Jungle, Ali vs Foreman and a sold-out Civic Arena to watch The Thrilla in Manilla, Ali vs Frazier III.
Incredible atmosphere at both local venues resulted in special memories for all who attended.
Honestly almost nobody.How many people would have watched a horse race if you couldn’t bet on it?
I can’t believe we are having this conversation.
For younger people, I don’t think you can quite comprehend what a big deal that was at the time. Harness racing was a much bigger deal at that time than it is today.
Also, I’ve never seen a more dominant athlete in any sport. It was literally odd looking how much better that horse was than everyone else.
I’ve seen the greatest of the great where it looks like they are playing on a different level than everyone else. I’m talking about guys like Gretzky or Lemieux in hockey, Jordan in basketball, or Tiger in golf; guys like that. Guys who just did what they wanted, when they wanted to do it and how they wanted it to be done.
They are incredibly rare but those types of guys do come around every sport every so often.
However, I am telling you that in all my years of watching sports, I’ve never seen anything remotely like what Secretariat did to the field during those Triple Crown races.
It was astonishing in the moment and it remains astonishing decades later.
From the Cheap Seats ; thoroughbred, not a standardbred. Best Flats horse I ever saw. Enjoyed the Affirmed/Alydar races more. Bret Hanover the best harness horse.For younger people, I don’t think you can quite comprehend what a big deal that was at the time. Harness racing was a much bigger deal at that time than it is today.
Also, I’ve never seen a more dominant athlete in any sport. It was literally odd looking how much better that horse was than everyone else.
I’ve seen the greatest of the great where it looks like they are playing on a different level than everyone else. I’m talking about guys like Gretzky or Lemieux in hockey, Jordan in basketball, or Tiger in golf; guys like that. Guys who just did what they wanted, when they wanted to do it and how they wanted it to be done.
They are incredibly rare but those types of guys do come around every sport every so often.
However, I am telling you that in all my years of watching sports, I’ve never seen anything remotely like what Secretariat did to the field during those Triple Crown races.
It was astonishing in the moment and it remains astonishing decades later.
Ok, grasshopper...read and comprehend the following:How many people would have watched a horse race if you couldn’t bet on it?
I can’t believe we are having this conversation.
Sounds crazy I know. But that tells you how magnificent this animal was.Dominant athlete? Are you telling about a horse? Wtf?
I can believe this conversation. What I can’t believe is you are still in it.How many people would have watched a horse race if you couldn’t bet on it?
I can’t believe we are having this conversation.
Do you think Sham picked the wrong year to be born.From the Cheap Seats ; thoroughbred, not a standardbred. Best Flats horse I ever saw. Enjoyed the Affirmed/Alydar races more. Bret Hanover the best harness horse.
i’m with you on this one.Dominant athlete? Are you telling about a horse? Wtf?
I never cashed my tickets in. I believed a $2 bet across the board paid something like $2.20. One of the greatest horse ever in winning the triple crown. What an athlete and inspiration even today. Thanks for bringing the memory back.For younger people, I don’t think you can quite comprehend what a big deal that was at the time. Harness racing was a much bigger deal at that time than it is today.
Also, I’ve never seen a more dominant athlete in any sport. It was literally odd looking how much better that horse was than everyone else.
I’ve seen the greatest of the great where it looks like they are playing on a different level than everyone else. I’m talking about guys like Gretzky or Lemieux in hockey, Jordan in basketball, or Tiger in golf; guys like that. Guys who just did what they wanted, when they wanted to do it and how they wanted it to be done.
They are incredibly rare but those types of guys do come around every sport every so often.
However, I am telling you that in all my years of watching sports, I’ve never seen anything remotely like what Secretariat did to the field during those Triple Crown races.
It was astonishing in the moment and it remains astonishing decades later.
Regarding how big boxing was, I attended a sold-out Stanley Theater (now The Benedum Theater) to watch the live, closed circuit feed of The Rumble in the Jungle, Ali vs Foreman and a sold-out Civic Arena to watch The Thrilla in Manilla, Ali vs Frazier III.
Incredible atmosphere at both local venues resulted in special memories for all who attended.
Well, if gambling eliminates sports than how many would we have left?How many people would have watched a horse race if you couldn’t bet on it?
I can’t believe we are having this conversation.
Yeah, it’s hard to explain how big horse racing and boxing were at the time, versus where they are now.
It’s an incredibly different sports landscape. I think a lot of younger people don’t really understand just how different things were back then.
none involving humans. Horse racing, dog fighting are about it. If you ban gambling, not one horse race happens ever again. You ban gambling, college and pro sports continue on.Well, if gambling eliminates sports than how many would we have left?
hmm, cant say I disagree with that. Fantasy football helps the nfl, ALOT......with VASTLY less interest.
How many people would have watched a horse race if you couldn’t bet on it?
I can’t believe we are having this conversation.
Gambling helps sports, I’m not debating that. Gambling is the only reason why you have animals run in a circle with a midget on its back. There is no other reason. Without gambling, horse racing would cease to exist immediately after.Eh...what would NFL ratings be if people couldn't bet on it or play fantasy football? Betting drives all sports in this country.
Edit: just noticed that you referenced fantasy football in the post above this one.
Well if ESPN said it.Well, yeah. I thought ESPN already settled this whole debate whenever it was talking about the greatest athletes of the century and it included horses?
It’s not a machine, it’s a living, breathing animal – like a person. That means that to beat other living, breathing animals in an athletic competition it needs greater athleticism - hence, it is an athlete.
I don’t know? This whole thing is a slippery slope. Some people think that Tiger Woods should be considered an athlete in the same vein as Michael Jordan and Mario Lemieux and I don’t think that’s true either.
I know that pisses off a lot of people, but from where I sit, he is (was?) just dominant over his game similarly to the way those guys were dominant over their respective sports. However, that does not make him a comparable athlete it doesn’t even make what he achieved comparable to what they achieved because their depth of competition was much, much greater. He’s still just a golfer and clearly not the same caliber “athlete” - in the strictest sense of the word - that those guys were.
At least that’s what I believe. However, when I say that the golf fans’ heads always start to spin and their eyes bug out of their heads and they start speaking in tongues – it turns into a whole thing.
That’s why I say it’s a slippery slope and if you want to talk about Roger Federer or Tiger Woods or Earl Anthony to be considered with guys who are generally accepted as our greatest athletes from the traditional major team sports, that’s fine too. However, if we’re going to do that then I want to talk about the horse as well.
Dominant athlete? Are you telling about a horse? Wtf?
Just like Seabisquit in the 30's. Horse became folk hero, champion of the underdog.I was 17 in 1973. That was an era where Vietnam was ending and the whole Nixon crap. Secretariat captured the attention of the entire nation. Secretariat was the Yankees Celtics, Packers only an animal. That’s all people talked about for three weeks after the Preakness. He was on the cover of magazines.
It was also the end of the black and white television era as more and more homes were investing in color television.
Secretariat was also owned by a women and she gained much notoriety for keeping that farm above water.
For a few weeks in the spring of 1973 a horse dominated the headlines and he gave people of all ages and backgrounds something to latch on too and cheer for. Might never happen again
damn shame he went out too fast....Oh glory!
hmm, cant say I disagree with that. Fantasy football helps the nfl, ALOT..
no they don't, what would be the point. It would be like playing the video poker machine at the local bar that doesn't pay out, it would be pointless.People play fantasy football for fun with no payout?
Weird.