Belmont Futurity

What would he do next?

That’s what the sports world was wondering as Secretariat arrived back at home at Belmont Park after a triumphant march through the late-summer meet at Saratoga. The reddish chestnut colt had rolled up three eye-catching victories in three starts in 30 days – including a runaway victory in the Hopeful Stakes. Sportswriters on hand for the 2-year-old chestnut’s performances joined racing fans in offering testimony, as the young star prepared for his next start in the Futurity, on September 16, at Belmont Park.

Daily Racing Form writer Teddy Cox set the stage.

“‘Secretariat first and the rest nowhere!’ That at least seems to be the general opinion of the masses who will send off the gigantic, powerful Meadow Stable superstar as a heavy favorite in the 83rd running of the $144,200 Futurity Stake,” Cox wrote in advance of the race. “Rarely in the history of the sport has such a comparative fledgling commanded as many rave notices clustered in superlatives as the strikingly handsome, awesome son of Bold Ruler.”

And well deserved, said Cox’s colleague Charles Hatton.

"He is the most stimulating performer in 1972's unfolding drama of the turf, an outrageously handsome 16.1 hands bull in a china shop, smashing from last to first and scattering his terrified rivals when he applies the cruncher."

And racing fans fully expected the “cruncher.” The stands at Belmont Park began filling early as thousands of racegoers arrived by car and train at the Long Island track.

The Form’s Herb Goldstein documented the demeanor of both Secretariat and trainer Lucien Laurin prior to the race:

“Laurin, a notorious ‘stall-walker,’ was in his usual nervous state.” Goldstein reported. “As he brought Secretariat into the saddling area, Laurin confessed, ‘I’ve got butterflies, as usual,’ though his charge was poised and even regally disdainful.”

Even Frank “Pancho” Martin, New York’s reigning champion trainer (who would later challenge Secretariat with rival Sham), said he had no interest in challenging Secretariat again with Master Achiever, whom Secretariat had already faced twice. In stark contrast to his erroneously portrayed Disney film persona, the well-respected trainer was appropriately gracious.

“I certainly couldn’t possibly entertain any hopes of beating Secretariat with our colt,” said Martin. “I’ve never seen a more perfectly balanced colt so large with such a perfect way of going. He should become one of the truly great horses of my time.”

Bettors agreed, and hammered Secretariat to 1-5 in the betting. That meant if you wished to risk $2 at the betting window, you could get back $2.40.

But if the Big Red Horse didn't offer much in the way of betting profit, the 34,248 racing fans who turned out to see him run on that September Saturday certainly got their money's worth.

As usual, Secretariat came away from the gate in leisurely fashion, but once he revved up his engines, there was no stopping him. The colt made his by-now patented move from off the pace to sweep to the lead in the homestretch.

Cox and fellow Racing Form columnist Herb Goldstein added their observations of the race.

“In one resounding sweep Secretariat moved around the leaders, took dead aim at the top of the stretch and soon opened an insurmountable advantage. In another of his glittering performances that have made him the undisputed kingpin of the nation’s two-year-olds..." wrote Cox. "In the final furlong, Turcotte first looked to the left for any challengers along the rail and then to the right and when he found none, he resorted only to a mild hand ride to assure victory for one of the most heralded colts ever to appear on the American scene…"

Goldstein further penned "The Meadow Stable colt was timed in a final 1:16 2/5 for the 6 1/2 panels, while merely galloping out the final 110 yards. He most certainly would have gone faster had that been the wish of jockey Ron Turcotte. Secretariat has taught humility to all who would challenge him since his first start this season and there has to be the feeling that he is among the best to come along in quite some time.”

A victory in the Futurity landed Secretariat in good historical company. The 1972 edition was the 83rd renewal of the race, first contested in 1888 at the old Sheepshead Bay Racecourse, which predated Belmont Park. Winners over the years include Domino, Man o’ War, Citation, Native Dancer, Affirmed and the Meadow Stable's own Riva Ridge the previous year who had since gone on to win the 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.

With Secretariat’s deja vu triumph in the Futurity came the inevitable comparison questions. Despite both horses tallying an identical height, the burly Secretariat held a 3-inch advantage in girth over his older stablemate. Jockey Ron Turcotte, who had the pleasure of piloting each horse, succintly added, “They are entirely different types. Secretariat hits a little harder in his action. Riva just seems to skip along.”

Trainer Laurin, always good for a memorable quote, further provided this gem to the working press:

“You know when I got this colt this spring I took one look at him and thought he wouldn’t beat a fat man. He was so perfect that I figured there had to be something wrong with him. Horses that are so good-looking usually can’t run. But this one—wow!”

Following the race the accolades continued from the media regarding the emerging Meadow Stable superstar.

Goldstein humorously quipped, “Secretariat showed no sign of being tired after the Futurity but he rested his head on the shoulder of Mrs. Penny Tweedy as she led him down ‘victory lane’ after the race, spreading mud on her dress and arm. ‘He has a mind of his own and I was not about to argue with him’, she declared. Secretariat picked up $82,320 which should allow Mrs. Tweedy to order another dress, if she so [chooses]."