"When I'm racing with destiny"

[redheadedfemme]

Well, crap. I was planning to write a post about the Belmont Stakes, and how I was going to settle in my chair with my tea and potato chips tomorrow, munch and livetweet, and cheer on I'll Have Another.

Only to find out today the horse has a minor tendon injury and will be retired.

Anyway, since there's no Triple Crown this year, I'm going to post the video of what I think is the best horse race ever run--Secretariat's incredible romp in the 1973 Belmont. I've watched it countless times, and I still tear up every time I see it. I remember watching a documentary about Secretariat, and they were discussing the reactions of various celebrities of the day. One that stuck with me is the image of Jack Nicklaus, alone in his living room watching the race, jumping up and down and yelling as Secretariat came down the stretch, because the Golden Bear knew he was witnessing utter perfection.

This same documentary, produced after Secretariat's death, had a video of his Triple Crown races, set to Richard Marx's "Right There Waiting For You." When I heard that, I couldn't believe what a wimpy song they picked. The perfect song for Secretariat would have been Whitney Houston's "One Moment in Time." (Lyrics here.)

I've lived to be
The very best
I want it all
No time for less
I've laid the plans
Now lay the chance
Here in my hands

Give me one moment in time
When I'm more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I'm racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will feel
I will feel eternity

Love ya, Big Red.