Setting Secretariat's Preakness Record Straight…A Matter of Time
June 18, 2024
One second. That was all that stood between Secretariat and a complete record-breaking sweep of the 1973 Triple Crown.
As his fans know, Secretariat shattered the Derby and Belmont records, but his winning time in the Preakness became instantly controversial on May 19, 1973. On that day, the electronic timer at Pimlico registered Secretariat's win at 1:55. However, two Daily Racing Form professionals at different vantage points hand-clocked him at 1:53 2/5. The slower time was hard to believe, especially after watching Secretariat's astonishing surge from last to first on the first turn, passing the rest of the field in an eighth of a mile.
Track officials acknowledged some "extenuating circumstances" with the teletimer. Supposedly, according to some accounts, the crowds of people walking across the track to the infield to watch the race somehow interfered with the timer. In any case, Pimlico decided to go with the time recorded by their hand-clocker, which was 1:54 2/5, for the official track record. The Daily Racing Form resolutely stood by its time of 1:53 2/5 in its own records.
CBS, who broadcast the Triple Crown series, stepped into the fray, challenging the Pimlico officials with videotape they said proved Secretariat undeniably set a then-record time of 1:53 2/5. But even their half-hour broadcast and the national public outcry failed to change the disputed statistic. Over the years, supporters made other efforts to correct the record, but to no avail.
Fast forward to 2012 and the new technology of the 21st century. Armed with "compelling evidence," Penny Chenery and Mr. Chuckas, president of the Maryland Jockey Club, requested a hearing on this issue by the Maryland Racing Commission. The hearing took place at the Commission's meeting on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at Laurel Park.
As Mr. Chuckas stated, "During the last 40 years, video technology has been accepted in other professional sports as a supportive mechanism for officials to ensure fairness and accuracy in their decisions. It is important for horse racing and the record books to confirm the correct time in this historical race. It is the appropriate thing to do.”
Penny, then 90 years old, championed her horse, saying, "For me, revisiting this dispute on a new day is matter of resolution – for historians, for sportswriters and for racing fans. Their voices are supported by sound evidence, and they deserve to be heard.”
The digital technology demonstrated that Secretariat’s time was even faster than the Daily Racing Form’s 1:53 2/5. It was 1:53 flat. After nearly forty years, the Maryland Racing Commission voted unanimously to correct Secretariat’s Preakness record.
Yes, it was about time! Today, as more time has passed, Secretariat’s records in the 1973 Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont still stand. He remains the only one of the 13 Triple Crown champions since 1919 to achieve that distinction.
We would also venture a guess that Secretariat is the only athlete whose records have been unbroken in over a half a century.
The legend lives on.
Leeanne Meadows Ladin
Author/speaker/historian
5.28.24