Last Saturday, I watched with many other horse racing fans as the field loaded in the gate for the 2013 renewal of the Belmont Stakes. Palace Malice surprised me with his convincing victory, but I was excited that my favoritesÑOxbow and OrbÑheld on for second and third, respectively.

An ongoing theme in this year’s Belmont Stakes (and Triple Crown, for that matter) coverage was an event that took place four decades ago.

Forty years ago, on June 9, 1973, SecretariatÑmy favorite racehorseÑgalloped home 31 lengths in front of his nearest competitor to win both the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown. I wasn’t around to witness the feat first hand, but watching videos of his races and reading countless articles about the big red horse made me fall in love with him and his story.

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