Triple Crown 1973

Question
QUESTION: Hi, Why doesn'this AllExperts site change Secretariat's official time in his Preakness to 1:53 2/5 his record? In 1999 after yrs. of debate, and 10 yrs after his early death, the MD Racing Commission finally changed the time. Gene (Frenchie) Schwartz and one other Dy Rcng Form clocker EACH clocked race at 1:53 2/5 fm 2 DIFFERENT vantage points. Also, amazingly, it was time est. by Andrew Beyer using his track/speed formula. According to Raymond Woolfe's book on Secretariat, the official Pimlico handclocker was so excited he finally stopped watch at 1:54 2/5 and was teased for yrs. Electronic timer had been damaged when crowd walked across (?!)track and drunken fan threw beer can and Beyer and DRF clockers immediately knew something was wrong when elec timer came in at 1:55+. Also time registered for other horses made it clear something was really wrong. thanks, Bonnie, Hartford, CT
ANSWER: Hi Bonnie,
         I can see you have a burr under your saddle over this "miscarriage".
While I agree, its annoying, I don't think Allexperts can do much about it. For obvious reasons, its the racing authorities who keep the official records and you would have to appeal to them.
Without trying to disuade you from that course I don't think you will have an icecubes chance in hell of getting it changed.
There is no doubt that Secretariats run in the 73 Preakness was an outstanding effort and due at least a share of the record (with Louis Quatorze 96 and Tanks Prospect 85).
The actual record for 1.3/16 mile at Pimlico is held by Farma Way, 91, at 1.52,1/2.

I am no expert on American records or the exploits of Secretariat however, like you I do find these stories of the turf as interesting and perplexing as you do.

Good luck in your battle on behalf of Secretariat.

Thanks for the question, sorry I can't do what you want.

Regards,
Don Boddie
New Zealand

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, thanks for quick response and all the way fm New Zealand. What racing authorities do you mean? It was the Maryland Racing Commission that CHANGED his time to 1:53 2/5. What higher authority is there? Ron Turcotte, Secretariat's jockey, is the source I learned fm in a letter he wrote for Bloodhorse http://www.angelfire.com/ky/secretariatfan/RonTurcotteemail.joy    
Anyway, my point for response is that time of 1:53 2/5 was made official, so I don't understand why sources don't change it accordingly.
Farma Way's time: yes S's records have been equalled for Preakness, BUT point is doing this in 5 wk grueling training and races for Triple Crown. And his Belmont on DIRT, will that ever be equaled or broken, IN context of the 5 wk race for Triple Crown. Point here is, sure a given good horse can equal or break his records. I mean, to say Farma Way broke S's record at Pimlico isn't same as saying a horse broke it in Preakness, 2 wks after breaking 2:00 min in the Kentucky Derby 1:59 2/5. Nack said if Turcotte hadn't gone wide with him twice he might have done 1;59 flat. Went wide second time when showed him the whip so he wouldn't lean into Sham. AND then 3 wks later to set record in Belmont Stakes at 2:24 for dirt. Hawkster did 2:22+ on grass in Santa Anita in 1980's. But what did he do before/after that. For Secretariat, 34 yrs ago, so ahead of his time, to break ALL 3 records in the Triple Crown(yes, I include Preakness)was wonderful, outstanding. Monarchos did 1:59 4/5 in 2001 in Derby, but SO DID SHAM in 1973. He had second fastest Derby at that time,in Derby with Secretariat. Poor Sham, in any other yr he would have won Triple Crown. He and Secretariat share same maternal sire in Princequillo.
By the way, I've also been learning about the beautiful and amazing Phar Lap. You know how?? by reading Talkin' Horses with Bill Nack, on bloodhorse.com. When he asked an old timer in New York who was better, Secretariat or Man O'War, after Secretariat's Triple Crown, he said, "neither, I saw Phar Lap!!!

Answer
Hi Bonnie,
         I'm glad you were happy with the quick response, its a quiet Sunday afternoon here so it was time to attack a few question.
I was being a lazy when using the sweeping term 'racing authorities I did not know who the ruling authority might have been. You have answered that for me so I have learned something useful as well.
I will be running a Racing Quiz session at our local race track (Otaki Maori Racing Club) next month and will now pop a few Secretariat questions into the mix, perhaps alongside some Phar Lap ones. Phar Lap is a much loved favourite of the racing population in NZ and Australia. I have stood in his paddock in Timaru a few years ago and also have a piece of timber from the stall he used at Trentham in 1929 when he was sold through the auction ring.
There are several races each year in NZ raced to commemorate the great horse and his much beloved strapper Tommy Woodcock.
I guess we will never know for sure what happened to him in your country but it was a sad end for a great horse.

Your knowledge of Secretariat seems pretty extensive so if I get any questions about him in the future shall I refer them to you?
As to why sources don't change their records for S, I guess they are too lazy!
Have a nice day,
Don
www.killarahomestay.co.nz