Oct. 8, 1973 Man o’ War Stakes Winning Pari-Mutuel Ticket

Description

For many reasons, winning pari-mutuel tickets from Secretariat’s Oct. 8, 1973 Man o’ War Stakes are extremely collectible. First, the race represented the first time Secretariat would compete on a grass surface, and resulted in a Belmont Park course record breaking victory over a field of older horses and accomplished turf specialists. Second, the race marked the final time he would be ridden by his regular jockey Ron Turcotte (who was suspended for a riding infraction for Secretariat’s next and final start in the Canadian International). But perhaps most important in the eyes of collectors, the tote tickets are especially scarce, and this is partially due to the simple fact that the prestigious stakes race took place on a Monday instead of a Saturday, the latter being when more racegoers and therefore more bettors would be in attendance. Even with Secretariat drawing an enormous weekday crowd of nearly 36,000 to watch him race in the Man o’ War Stakes, that number paled in comparison to nearly twice that figure who were in attendance for his Belmont Stakes Triple Crown victory four months prior.

Each of our rare uncashed $2.00 winning tote tickets is in pristine, mint condition and documents Secretariat’s entry number (1), race (7th) along with the Oct. 8 date and Belmont Park venue printed on the familiar blue New York Racing Association ticket stock.

For the most discerning Secretariat collector, we are delighted to offer the associated official mint condition track program for the race as well. For all the same reasons listed above original 1973 Man o’ War Stakes programs are very difficult to find and the availability of this perfect pairing offers an extremely rare opportunity to purchase both of these coveted collectibles together, an accomplishment that may take years to achieve individually.

The program documents the often overlooked stellar field of accomplished older horses and stakes winners that Secretariat defeated in the race, including the 4-year-old multiple stakes-winning turf specialists Big Spruce and Tentam. With  Secretariat’s Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte would be aboard the champion, who according to Turcotte’s pronouncement after the race, was “10 lengths better on grass.”

These original programs are crisp and unblemished — exactly as they were issued over a half century ago. For those who prefer your collectible memorabilia autographed, tickets and programs may be available hand-signed by Mr. Turcotte, please inquire upon purchase. Available on a first-come basis, but only while quantities last.