Big Red (Secretariat)

I vividly remember watching Secretariat's romp home in the 1973 Belmont Stakes. I was seven years-old and little did I know that I was watching a race that would influence me for life. As the movie Secretariat opens today I can proudly call myself one of a small set of fans who know Secretariat's race record, his breeding, his successful progeny and a devoted fan of the sport he "Kinged" for the intervening 38 years. Hopefully this film will excite new-found appeal for thoroughbred horseracing. (The betting part is parimutuel so the more the merrier.) Each spring racing fans will begin talking about the "next Secretariat." There will never be another Secretariat but it's proof that in horse racing hope springs eternal. And I sure hope the movie lives up to my memories.

Off on a true "escape," a Mexican Cruise. Possible postings to come from sea. If not, I'll be back on the case to report on buffets, beaches, and "bandits" in a week. Hasta luego.