Behind the scenes of well-known jockey who rode Secretariat in record-setting Belmont Stakes

Article content material

Saturday is the fiftieth anniversary of Secretariat’s outstanding victory within the 1973 Belmont Stakes, which is arguably the best efficiency within the historical past of horse racing in North America.

Article content material

To place his superb efficiency in perspective, latest Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify would have been greater than 19 lengths behind on the six-furlong mark within the 1½-mile race.

Article content material

It’s troublesome to grasp that Secretariat posted a six-furlong time of 1:09.80 seconds underneath strain from Sham, after which ran off to win by 31 lengths. Seemingly inconceivable, but he did it.

Secretariat was ridden by Ron Turcotte, who grew up as considered one of 14 youngsters in Drummond, N.B., 4 of his brothers — Noel, Rudy, Roger and Yves — additionally turned jockeys.

The Turcotte brothers’ lives are chronicled in a brand new guide, The Turcottes: The Exceptional Story of a Horse Racing Dynasty, written by Curtis Inventory, an 11-time Sovereign Award-winning author and Canadian Horse Racing Corridor of Fame inductee.

Article content material

Article content material

Ron was essentially the most profitable of the 5. His mounts earned virtually $30 million in a profession that started in 1961 and ended when he was paralyzed as the results of a spill at Belmont Park in 1978.

For many of the brothers, the tragedies overshadow the triumphs. Yves, who’s at present a steward in Alberta, is quoted within the guide: “I’m pleased with what Noel, Rudy and Roger — and particularly Ron — completed on the observe. I’m not so pleased with what occurred to Noel, Rudy and Roger off the observe.”

Roger’s son Joey Turcotte is at present a coach at Hastings. “I haven’t learn the guide, I lived it,” he stated. “I heard it’s good and that he didn’t sugar coat it.”

No, Inventory didn’t. And that makes the guide properly value studying.

•••

There’s a stakes doubleheader at Hastings Racecourse on Saturday starting with the $50,000 Ross McLeod, which is step one towards the Grade 3, $125,000 B.C. Derby Sept. 17.

Article content material

The 6½-furlong sprint seems to be a matchup between Legacy Sq. and Fortunate Drive. I’m giving the sting to the a number of stakes winner Legacy Sq.. Fortunate Drive was spectacular in each his races, however he’s taking an enormous step up after profitable a $12,500 claiming race by 11-lengths. I may also see Aristocracy rebounding after a disappointing effort in his first begin at Hastings. Unintended Hero seems to be attention-grabbing however he might want extra distance.

I’m trying ahead to seeing Key to Success run within the $50,000 Emerald Downs for three-year-old fillies. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Cupid is coming off a runner-up end in a $50,000 starter race at Keeneland April 14. She very spectacular when she labored 5 furlongs in 58:40 seconds for coach Larry Grieve at Hastings June 3.

Article content material

The Emerald is a good betting race. I like Key to Success, however Bunny, Air Drive and Above Common are additionally able to profitable the 6½-furlong dash.

Take your choose between Lasting Mild and Queen of Angle in Sunday’s characteristic, which fits because the sixth race. I’m leaning towards Lasting Mild, who seems to be like the principle velocity and will be capable of management the race from begin to end. It’s onerous to not like Queen of Angle, although. The six-year-old B.C.-bred daughter of Bakken is as sincere as they arrive and has compiled a 4-5-2 document from 13 begins for coach Steve Henson, who’s having a powerful meet. Nevertheless, her lack of velocity away from the beginning gate in a race that figures to unfold at a modest clip is a little bit of a priority.

Needs to be a fantastic weekend of racing.

Take a look at our sports activities part for the newest information and evaluation. Look after a wager? Head to our sports activities betting part for information and odds.

Article content material