Sunday, June 09, 2013

Greatness

40 years ago today, Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths in what most experts agree was the most dominant performance in the history of horse racing. I'd never actually seen the entire race until a few minutes ago. It's worth a watch.

Listen to the crowd as the great horse separates from Sham in the middle of the backstretch, and then again when he nears the finish line. Pretty cool stuff.



Secretariat ran the mile and a half distance in 2:24, breaking the existing record by 2 and 3/5 seconds. Consider this, though: he also broke the track's record for one and five/eighths miles, even though he was pulling up after the Belmont's finish line.

20 comments:

TR said...

It was my understanding that there would be no math.

rob said...

long underwear man is hung over

rob said...

the violence with which nadal hits the ball is remarkable

TR said...

Between fire starting protest guy and Nadal's big limp, this match is closer than the 2-0 set count indicates.

Craziness in Roland Garros.

TR said...

Rafa's ownership of the French Open over the last decade could be the most impressive domination of an event by an athlete we have ever seen (or will ever see).

T.J. said...

Happy 6/9, Gheorghies

rob said...

jeez, that was clinical

TR said...

On one good knee, after a six-hour bar burner 48 hours ago, no less. Rafa is good at the hitting of the tennis balls.

Clarence said...

I've got several inches of big limp for you

Clarence said...

So Dave never commented on Long Underwear Man, the character he created 20 years ago?

Memory Bank question for Rob: at the party when Dave was Long Underwear Man, what was your costume?

zman said...

This is why it's preposterous that he has only twice been the 1 seed.

TR said...

Anybody got a Toronto recommendation for food/drink? May have some downtime there tomorrow evening if a work dinner falls through. After I buy my RA Dickey and Landry Fields jerseys, of course.

rob said...

i believe i was mighty mouse.

Jerry said...

6:09 AM. It's the attention to detail that makes this blog great.

Jerry said...

According to some article, Toronto has the best sports bar in North America. I don't know what it is, but I heard it on a Toronto-based NBA podcast.

Clarence said...

Rob, you were George Costanza.

zman said...

I sunburnt the shit out of my face while wearing a hat and sunglasses. I look dumber than usual.

And Andy Pettitte has an 18-year-old son?!?

rob said...

indeed. i mixed that party up with the one at evan's place.

Shlara said...

Don Draper wins for king of the d-bags

TR said...

No spoilers for Mad Men! I will not get there until Wed or Thurs!