This ran in Black Jack Confidential.

Secretariat was brought into this world on March 30,1970 at Meadow Stable in Virginia. He departed this world on October 4, 1989 at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky.

The events that occurred between those dates would make “Big Red” the greatest horse to have ever lived, in the minds of many in the horse racing world.

As a two year old he started 6 races and won all of them. In his 6th race, The Champagne Stakes, he was disqualified for bumping and officially listed as 2nd place. Secretariat was the 1st 2 year old in history to be named “Horse Of The Year.” As a 3 year old he had 12 starts. He finished 1st in 9, 2nd in 2, and 3rd in 1 race. He was named 3 year old “Horse Of The Year” and “Grass Horse Of The Year.” His 1st three races as a 3 year old just happened to be the KY Derby, The Preakness Stakes, and The Belmont Stakes earning him the most coveted title in horse racing, “The Triple Crown” champion. He set a new track record in The KY Derby and The Preakness, and a new world record in the Belmont. The Preakness win would have been a new world record and is long disputed because the official clock allegedly mal-functioned, and hand times are not officially recognized, though his hand-clocked time was the world record that day.

Secretariat was syndicated as a future breeding stallion for $6.08 million, which was a world record for the time. This made the horse worth more than 3 times his weight (1,154 lbs) in gold. Gold bullion was selling for $90 an ounce.
On Nov 13, 1973 Secretariat was retired to Claiborne Farm where he sired 41 stakes winners. 10,000 visitors a year came to Claiborne Farm just to see him. Claiborne president Seth Hancock the day before Secretariat died. "All they want to do is see him. He's not a horse; he's a legend." No horse since Man Of War had created the excitement in the publics eyes as “Big Red.”

On Labor Day 1989 Secretariat was diagnosed with laminitis--an inflammation of the inner tissues of the hooves. On Oct 4, 1989 being in severe pain, the great horse was put down. He has buried in an oak coffin close to his sire, Bold Ruler. The visitors still come to see his grave and pay tribute.

Penny Tweedy Chenery, the owner of Secretariat has been most supportive in the process to produce chips to commemorate the great horse. “I am delighted to have Secretariat’s legacy and image on chips by The Palms Casino Resort. He has fans world wide that will welcome the broadening of his legend.” The Palms Casino Resort will release limited edition casino to honor Secretariat’s KY Derby win, The Triple Crown, and his Belmont win by 31 lengths. The release dates will coincide with this years three races through the 1st week of June.

For more information on chip collecting, log on to ccgtcc.com, call 877-4CC-GTCC or write to Ralph Myers at PO Box 35769, Las Vegas, NV 89133
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