In the early summer of 1973 I was a 7 year old following baseball and football as best I could. I knew names, plays and scores like any 7 year old had to but I was more into playing football and baseball with my buddies.
What I absolutely remember like it was yesterday was following Secretariat. From the Preakness to the week leading up to the Belmont. I read every newspaper / magazine article I could get my hands on. I scanned the radio trying to find talk about the Belmont. I read my Dad’s Time magazine article on Secretariat. Same for Newsweek. I remember how badly everyone wanted Secretariat to win because of all the terrible things going on in 1973 that a 7 year old didn’t care about.
I remember reading a Thursday article two days before the Belmont about Secretariat for the 15th time that day in the Contra Costa Times in the back seat of the family car on the way to Safeway to grocery shop. Another story about a “Super Horse” that had a chance to win the Triple Crown. Something that was considered impossible. By June 9th 1973 I was convinced I was the biggest Secretariat fan in the country.
Then the race happened:
One of those moments frozen in time. 40 years ago.
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