LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Secretariat is no longer only a Triple Crown winner. He is also officially the fastest horse in all three races.
The Maryland Racing Commission reviewed videotapes of Secretariat's performance in the 1973 Preakness and adjusted his final time to 1:53 after a hearing at Laurel Race Course Tuesday.
The Pimlico electric timer malfunctioned during the Preakness, and Secretariat was originally credited with a 1:55 for the 1 3/16th mile race. That time was later adjusted to 1:54 2/5, although two representatives of The Daily Racing Form credited Secretariat with an even faster time -- 1:53 2/5.
But a seven-member review committee studied the race using "layered-on timing devices," today and determined that Secretariat actually finished the race in 1:53, eclipsing the record that Tank's Prospect, Louis Quatorze and Curlin shared. After examining the evidence for two hours, the commission members voted unanimously to approve the change.
"Obviously we're thrilled," said Leonard Lusky, the president of Secretariat.com, who represented owner Penny Chenery at the hearing. "There was a big outburst of clapping when the decision was announced, the loudest from Mrs. Chenery."
Secretariat had already been credited with the fastest times in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes while winning the Triple Crown in 1973.
Lusky said the commission members discussed the evidence for about 10 minutes before announcing their decision. "We made four main arguments," Lusky said. "The last one was a triple screen that showed Secretariat, Tank's Prospect (1985) and Louis Quatorze (1996). You didn't have to squint to see that Secretariat finished ahead of both those horses. He was 1 1/2 to 2 lengths ahead."
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