Another entry from The World Almanac 2008's Memorable Moments in Sports feature—this time, from the "Amazing Final Plays" category. This one isn't necessarily a "play," per se, but it is one of the all-time greatest finishes, capping off one of the all-time greatest seasons, in any sport.
Secretariat's Record-Breaking Triple Crown
June 9, 1973: The Belmont Stakes
Secretariat kicked off 1973's Triple Crown season by setting a new record at the Kentucky Derby (1:59 2/5), then winning the Preakness by 2 1/2 lengths. Timing errors at the latter delayed the reporting of his official time, listed by Preakness officials as 1:54 2/5. At the Belmont Stakes, Secretariat and Sham, his second-place challenger in the first two races, opened an immediate lead on their competitors—but Secretariat surged even further ahead after the halfway mark. Hitting the stretch, he had a lead of nearly 20 lengths, then opened it even wider before crossing the wire with a still-standing 1 1/2-mile dirt track record of 2:24 (more than 1 2/5 seconds faster than any other horse has run). Later review of race videotapes marked Secretariat's winning lead at an unimaginable 31 lengths.
It's an incredible performance even if you aren't a racing fan... and the announcer's excitement is darn near impossible to resist. Enjoy!
Previously: Canseco's "Head Ball"
