Secretariat at the Kentucky Derby: Revisiting start of record-breaking Triple Crown run, 50 years later

A new Kentucky Derby champion will be crowned at Churchill Downs on Saturday, as the 149th running of "the greatest two minutes in sports" captivates viewers. 

Even the winner will have a long way to go to meet the standard set by Secretariat in 1973. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the legendary Triple Crown run that entrenched the 3-year-old as one of the greatest racing horses in the sport's history. 

The Kentucky Derby was the first leg of the Triple Crown for Secretariat, and his run stands as one of the most dominant performances in the race's history. There have been a dozen other Triple Crown winners, but there is a reason Secretariat's name remains the standard of excellence in horse racing. 

MORE: Complete betting guide for the 2023 Kentucky Derby

The Sporting News takes a look back at Secretariat's run to the Triple Crown, which started with a Kentucky Derby victory 50 years ago. 

Secretariat Kentucky Derby time

Secretariat instantly became a Triple Crown threat at the Kentucky Derby because of how dominant he was during the race. Secretariat finished the Derby in 1:59.40, setting a record that still stands 50 years later. He finished two-and-a-half lengths ahead of runner-up Sham. 

On this day 52 years ago, the 🐐 of horse racing, #Secretariat, was born!

Big Red is seen here winning the 1973 @KentuckyDerby under the #TwinSpires @ChurchillDowns 🌹 pic.twitter.com/pJffAc66q7

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 30, 2022

Believe it or not, the second-fastest mark in Kentucky Derby history actually belongs to Sham, who finished with a time of 1:59.90. The second-best run in the race's history wasn't enough to win because of how dominant Secretariat was. 

Monachos, who won in 2001 with a time of 1:59.97, is the only other horse to run the Kentucky Derby in under two minutes, though 1964 winner Northern Lights finished in exactly 2:00.00. 

MORE: All-time Kentucky Derby records

Secretariat at Preakness

The Kentucky Derby is far from Secretariat's only record. He also still holds the record for the fastest finish at the Preakness Stakes, with a time of 1:53.00.

Swiss Skydiver gave the record a challenge in 2020 when he finished with a time of 1:53.28, but Secretariat's dominance means he still has a grip on the record books 50 years later.

The win also put Secretariat one Belmont Stakes win away from the Triple Crown. 

Secretariat at Belmont

Another race, another record. Secretariat finished the Belmont Stakes in two minutes and 24 seconds, setting a record that still stands today.

In fact, no horse has given the record a serious challenge. Easy Goer came the closest to Secretariat when he ran the 1989 Belmont Stakes in 2:26, still a full two seconds off of the timeless record. 

Last year's champion, Mo Donegal, finished in more than two minutes and 28 seconds, a full four seconds behind Secretariat. Belmont was the race that won the Triple Crown for Secretariat, and he ran with a purpose, winning by a record 31 lengths.

45 Years Ago Today: Secretariat wins the Belmont in perhaps the most dominating performance in sports history, 2:24 time still stands as the record today. pic.twitter.com/qgB73y3CKe

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 9, 2018

MORE: Post positions & odds for the 2023 Kentucky Derby

Triple Crown winners

Secretariat had the most dominant Triple Crown run, setting record after record, but he's still one of 13 horses to complete the feat. 

Secretariat broke a 25-year drought when he won in 1973, though American Pharoah would snap an even longer drought in 2015 when he became the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. 

Here is a look at the full history of Triple Crown winners.