NYRA Photo

Secretariat-related giveaways, artifacts to be featured throughout Belmont Stakes Racing Festival

by Pat McKenna

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that it will feature a series of Secretariat-related fan giveaways and vintage artifacts to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s historic 31-length victory in the 1973 Belmont Stakes during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from Thursday, June 8 to Saturday, June 10.

On Friday, June 9, the first 5,000 fans to pass through the main admission gates at Belmont Park will receive a commemorative poster of Secretariat crossing the finish line in the 1973 Belmont Stakes, which many consider the greatest and most electrifying racing performance in history. Designed and painted by Secretariat artist Lisa Palombo, the 11x17-inch poster design was inspired by an image shot by the late NYRA photographer Bob Coglianese of jockey Ron Turcotte looking back at the distant field as he crossed the finish line to clinch racing’s ninth Triple Crown. Sports Illustrated called it the greatest thoroughbred racing photograph of the 20th century.

On Saturday, June 10, Belmont Stakes Day, the first 5,000 fans to pass through the main admission gates at Belmont Park will receive an exact replica pocket program from 1973 Belmont Stakes Day. Produced in partnership with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, the program is a deep dive into the history and flavor of the day, from the odds – Secretariat was at 2/5 – to the vintage ads and information on Belmont Park dining and music that day.

Also throughout the three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, fans are invited to stop by the Hall of Fame’s traveling exhibition that honors the accomplishments and enduring legacy of the famed Meadow Stable colt. Artifacts to be featured include the saddle that Ron Turcotte used in the 1973 Triple Crown series and the 1973 Triple Crown trophy.

The name of the exhibition, which also was featured at this year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, is “A Tremendous Machine: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat's Triple Crown” in reference to announcer Chic Anderson's famous description of Secretariat moving down the backstretch at the Belmont Stakes.

A more comprehensive exhibition of “A Tremendous Machine” will open to the public July 13 at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, coinciding with opening day at Saratoga Race Course. Both exhibitions are underwritten by NYRA, Churchill Downs, Inc., the Maryland Jockey Club, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the Virginia Equine Alliance, Dean Dorton Equine and Godolphin.

For additional information on the 155th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, or to purchase tickets today, visit BelmontStakes.com.