In 1973, the great Secretariat propelled horse racing onto the covers of national magazines and on the evening newscasts as "Big Red" rolled through the Triple Crown, highlighted by his impressive 31-length Belmont Stakes romp.

Now, 37 years later, Secretariat is again giving the racing industry a much-needed jolt as the horse's exploits, as well as those of his connections, are thrust upon the big screen in the Disney movie "Secretariat."

Inspired by Bill Nack's book "Secretariat: The Making of a Champion," the movie is scheduled for national release Oct. 8.

But on Oct. 3, several hundred individuals from within the Bluegrass horse industry walked down the red carpet outside the Kentucky Theater in Lexington for a special presentation of "Secretariat." In addition to a veritable "who's who" in racing and breeding circles, the sold-out crowd included actress Diane Lane, director Randall Wallace, paralyzed jockey Ron Turcotte, and others who were involved in Secretariat’s career and are portrayed in the movie. The screening was a fund-raiser for the Secretariat Foundation