Coming off a stunning loss in the Wood Memorial, Secretariat, who was named the 2-year-old champion, was suddenly the beneficiary of doubt among the horse racing faithful, despite having won 10 of 11 races going into the derby.
Rumors swirled: he was injured, he lost a step during his 3-year-old season, he just wasn’t the superhorse everyone thought he was, his Wood rival Sham would be the true king of 1973.
He broke a step slow, a Secretariat trademark, and settled in behind his 12 challengers.
His rival Sham sat near the lead and made his move to catch the leader, Shecky Greene, at the top of the homestretch.
Then, and only then, did Turcotte ask his horse for more, and Secretariat, like the finest of racecars, found another gear.