Secretariat 50th Anniversary Events
“Secretariat: Larger than Life” Traveling Tour
Festivities Planned for 1973 Triple Crown Champion
Join us in celebrating the golden anniversary of Secretariat’s historic Triple Crown sweep with the “Secretariat: Larger Than Life” 50th Anniversary Tour celebrating the legendary racehorse and the Triple Crown records he set in 1973.
The Secretariat: Larger Than Life Tour will showcase the National Museum of Racing’s traveling exhibition of Secretariat’s Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont, and Triple Crown trophies, along with artifacts, video footage, and interactive elements. The tour will coincide with several racetrack-related festivities and special appearances, and also offer commemorative 50th Anniversary merchandise. Sculptor Jocelyn Russell’s impressive 21-foot long bronze monument of Secretariat will serve as the symbolic centerpiece of the Tour, and be on display at each of the Triple Crown venues.
The “Secretariat: Larger Than Life” 50th Anniversary Tour kicks off in the Louisville, Kentucky before embarking on the Triple Crown trail with stops at Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, and Belmont Park in Elmont, New York — the racetracks where Secretariat’s name was forged into legend.
CLICK HERE FOR UPCOMING EVENTS QUICK REFERENCE PAGE
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Louisville, Kentucky: May 3 – May 6
On Wednesday, May 3, the Tour officially makes its debut during Champions Day at Churchill Downs, where Secretariat, along with Sarah Manning and Kate Chenery Tweedy, daughters of Secretariat’s late owner Penny Chenery, will be recognized at the historic racetrack. Stop by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame traveling exhibition, which will be set up through Derby Day adjacent to the Woodford Reserve Paddock Plaza. Also through the duration of Derby Week, visit the Secretariat larger-than-life bronze monument prominently located just inside the track’s main entrance and meet artist Jocelyn Russell to learn more about the making of this amazing piece.
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Woodstock, Virginia: May 13
Jocelyn Russell’s bronze monument will make an appearance as part of Secretariat Day at Shenandoah Downs. The awe-inspiring bronze will be available to see on Saturday from 12-5 PM at the northern Virginia track, where fans can experience “Big Red” up close and enjoy a complimentary T-shirt giveaway and an afternoon of pari-mutuel harness racing!
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Baltimore, Maryland at Pimlico Race Course: May 18 – 20
The Secretariat: Larger Than Life Tour moves to “Old Hilltop” for the second jewel of the Triple Crown. It was the 1973 Preakness that jockey Ron Turcotte remembers as his favorite race aboard the Meadow Stable colt. Secretariat’s win in the Preakness was every bit as impressive as his Derby triumph, but accomplished in a spectacularly different fashion, when Turcotte made a bold move early in the race, taking Secretariat from last to first on the first turn before rolling on to victory. Secretariat’s officially corrected time for the race, 1:53 flat for the 1 3/16 distance, is a record that still stands. The Secretariat bronze monument will be located just outside the Grandstand entrance at Pimlico and perfectly situated for photo opportunities. The National Museum of Racing’s Secretariat exhibition as well as the Secretariat.com merchandise booth will be located just inside the grandstand entrance adjacent to vendor’s row. On Friday and Saturday, meet Kate Tweedy who will participate in book-signings of the 50th Anniversary edition of “Secretariat’s Meadow.”
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Elmont, New York at Belmont Park: June 8 – June 11
The Secretariat: Larger Than Life Tour will be part of many festivities planned at Belmont Park — the site of Secretariat’s most defining racing moment. Even casual racing fans know that this is where Secretariat raced into the ever-glow of immortality. His victory – 31 lengths ahead of his nearest challenger – established a new world record time of 2:24 for the 1½ mile distance. The amazing performance remains one of the most transcendent moments in sports history. Don’t miss the chance to be at Belmont Park as we mark 50 years since this historic feat. More event details coming soon…
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Following the 2023 Triple Crown races, the Tour will migrate to Saratoga Springs where the bronze monument will be on display at Saratoga Race Course and the traveling artifacts will be incorporated into the National Museum of Racing’s own 2023 Secretariat exhibition titled, A Tremendous Machine: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown, opening July 13. Additional tour stops may be announced at later dates.
“I don’t think we will ever see another horse like him.”
~ Ron Turcotte
