Congratulations to American Pharaoh, the first triple crown winner in horse racing since 1978. One of the most difficult feats in sports was achieved just a few days ago and hopefully you were able to witness history. Despite American Pharaoh's success, the most well-known triple crown winner will likely always remain the 1978 winner, Secretariat. He has been the subject of books and movies, and is typically regarded as the best racehorse to have ever lived. Part of his legend lies in how he finished the triple crown - that final race at the Belmont Stakes.
All the dramatic pieces were in place for the final race, the Belmont Stakes: the champ (Secretariat), the hyped-up challenger (a horse named Champ), and history on the line. The typical formula (see Rocky or Remember the Titans) for these kinds of stories is that the hero fights the battle of his life, appears defeated, only to valiantly battle back to barely win, sending the crowd into a frenzy. That wasn’t the case with Secretariat. He blew the doors off the competition and won by thirty lengths. It wasn’t close at all. The outcome was decided almost immediately after the gates opened.
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These last few post have been great! I have shared a couple with the chapter I advise and I hope that they are getting as much out of these posts as I am! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHaving had the pleasure of seeing Secretariat in a pasture after his retirement, let me tell you, that was some horse. There are sororities and fraternities who seem to be perennially to be at the "top of the heap". Perhaps they are simply doing things right. Over time, they all seem to ebb and flow. Just give it that time.
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