Big Red remembered...
Numerologists will forever remember the day that the numbers 31, 2 and 24 made sports history. It was 32 years ago today (sound familiar ?) that the horse known as Big Red became legendary.
The setting was Elmont, Long Island. The Belmont Stakes would prove if Secretariat was merely a very good thoroughbred or a horse for the ages. While breaking track records in the first two legs of racing's Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, they didn't call the Belmont Stakes, "The Test of Champions" for nothing. Big Red would have to prove if he was truly a champ by winning his last big test.
Jockey Ron Turcotte went to the front from the start with Secretariat breaking from the inside post. Half the distance of this historic race was run in record times and then Turcotte put Big Red on cruise control. 7 lengths turned into 20, 20 into 28 and 28 into a record 31 length victory. Secretariat had done something no horse has ever done before or since at the Belmont Stakes. Here are the record breaking numbers: 31 (lengths), 2 (minutes) and 24 (seconds)...
(answer to yesterday's "Name That Year" was 1976, the year that Boz Scaggs "Silk Purse" LP and singles "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" were released)
More June 9 Memories...
1963) "Cleopatra" opens in New York...
1971) McCartney's "Ram" LP goes gold...
1972) Bruce Springsteen signs with Columbia Records...
1973) Secretariat completes racing's Triple Crown by winning the Belmont...
1980) Richard Pryor "lights up"...
1984) Cyndi Lauper is #1 with "Time After Time"...
1991) The Boss marries backup singer Patty Scialfa...
Birthdays...
1915) Les Paul...
1936) Jackie Mason...
1939) Dick Vitale...
1961) Michael J. Fox...
1963) Johnny Depp...
1973) Tedy Bruschi...
1981) Natalie Portman...
Commentary...
While the 137th running of the Belmont Stakes this Saturday doesn't have the excitement nor drama of 1973's record breaking run of the great Secretariat, it does have a terrific story.
This is the rubber match between odds-on favorite Afleet Alex and Giacomo, owned by A&M Records co-founder Jerry Moss. But that's only half the story. Afleet Alex was named for his owner's son but there's another Alex, a young girl from Philadelphia who would lose her battle with childhood cancer.
Afleet Alex owner Chuck Zacney took notice of the young girl who opened a lemonade stand to raise money for cancer research to help other children suffering from her disease. The owner pledged $5,000 to the fund and continues to support Alex's Lemonade Stand by donating part of the winning proceeds of every race won by Afleet Alex.
This running of the Belmont Stakes is about more than winning a race. It's also about passion and for life itself. 8 year old Alexandra "Alex" Scott lost her battle with cancer last summer but her mission in life continues. Alex's Lemonade Stand has raised close to $2,000,000. On Saturday Alex's parents will once again be behind "Alex's Lemonade Stand" at the Belmont Stakes. Whether or not you follow racing or have an interest in who wins this year's Belmont Stakes, we hope, like most of America, you'll be rooting for the 9 horse...
To find out more about Alex's dream: http://www.alexslemonade.com
