Picking my favorite sports moment is not easy, but one of the first visions that pops into my head is that of a great athlete in his prime dominating the competition like no one before or since. No, I’m not talking about Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, Jim Brown, Wayne Gretzky or Muhammad Ali. I’m not even talking about a human being. I’m talking about a horse. His owners called him “Big Red,” fans knew him as Secretariat, and back in the spring of 1973 he captivated the entire country when he became the first thoroughbred in 25 years to win the Triple Crown. Now, “Big Red” is hitting the big screen in Walt Disney Production’s much-anticipated “Secretariat: The Impossible True Story,” which bursts from the gate into theaters nationwide on Friday. The movie is about the horse’s owner, Penny Chenery Tweedy (portrayed brilliantly by Diane Lane), who took the reins of the family’s Virginia farm from her ailing father in 1968 and won Secretariat by virtue of losing a coin flip to wealthy horse breeder Ogden Phipps (James Cromwell). John Malkovich delivers as trainer Lucien Laurin, who came out of retirement to work at Meadow Stable and guide the careers of first Riva Ridge (Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner in 1972), then Secretariat. When I heard that a movie was being made about my favorite racehorse, my initial excitement gradually turned to skepticism. I mean, how could they ever find a horse as good looking and charismatic as the real “Big Red?” Sports films are hit and miss, especially those trying to retell actual events. Nevertheless, this is a project I’d waited decades for, so I arranged to see an advance viewing and I was not disappointed. Like the 2003 Universal release “Seabiscuit,” based on the book by Laura Hillenbrand, the script for “Secretariat” is an adaptation of “Secretariat: The Making of a Champion,” first published in 1975 by award-winning sportswriter Bill Nack, who makes a cameo appearance in the movie (as does Penny Chenery). The screen version, however, leaves out too many key details and gives the false impression that Secretariat was an underdog when in truth he was the favorite in every race he ran, even for the Kentucky Derby two weeks after his shocking loss in the Wood Memorial. Despite its flaws, however, the movie succeeds on an emotional level and the race sequences capture the power and grace of an equine athlete who, when in peak form, was breathtaking to watch and unequaled in speed and stamina. In the week leading up to the Belmont Stakes, where he ran his greatest race (maybe the best performance in the history of the sport), the handsome three-year-old chestnut colt with a star and three white stockings was featured on the covers of Time, Newsweek and Sports Illustrated magazines–a testament to his popularity both on and off the track. Although I am too young to have witnessed any of Secretariat’s triumphs in person, I have watched replays from all of his races over and over. Track announcer Chic Anderson’s dramatic call of the Belmont still gives me goosebumps: “Secretariat is widening now… he is moving like a tremendous machine!” Oh how I wish I could have been in the grandstands on that June day in New York to witness Secretariat winning by 31 lengths and setting a world record time that still stands. Whether or not you are a horse racing fan, don’t be surprised to find yourself cheering for “Secretariat.” Director Randy Wallace puts us in the saddle for a thrilling ride down the home stretch. sports@palipost.com
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
