A Spectacle of Wonder

1973 – O.J. Simpson was the #1 running back that year, eclipsing 2,000 yards for the first time in league history. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was MVP of the hardwood (for the Bucks). Pete Rose and Reggie Jackson were MLB MVP’s. All legendary athletes. All icons of their craft. But the most amazing athletic performer that year, hands down, ran on four power thrusting legs and weighed over 1,100 lbs of pure chiseled muscular wonder. This athlete would shatter records and do the unimaginable. This athlete was thoroughbred racehorse icon Secretariat, aka “Big Red”.

The bulging beast of speed didn’t just win the Kentucky Derby that year on his quest for Triple Crown record shattering glory. He did so being the first horse in history to win the Kentucky landmark race in under 2 minutes at 1:59:40. For reference, there has only been one other Kentucky Derby winner to break the 2 minute mark. And that came nearly 30 years after Secretariat.

Here’s a nice summation of Secretariat’s greatness, via Wikipedia:

Secretariat was a champion American thoroughbred racehorse who is the ninth winner of the American Triple Crown, setting and still holding the fastest time record in all three races. He is regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time. He became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and his record-breaking victory in the Belmont Stakes, which he won by 31 lengths, is widely regarded as one of the greatest races in history. During his racing career, he won five Eclipse Awards, including Horse of the Year honors at ages two and three. He was nominated to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1974.

In ’73, Secretariat made the cover of Sports Illustrated, Time Magazine, and Newsweek.

FREAKISHLY BUILT: Secretariat was marvel of genetic engineering. His powerful long legs were said to produce a stride of over 24 feet. And to go with it, the heart of champion, literally. His heart was said to weigh ~22lbs, the average horse heart weighing 8.5 lbs. And already mentioned, he weighed over 1,100 lbs.

Honoring Greatness – A Special Evening at The Kentucky Derby Museum

DATE: Thursday, April 20th, 5:15pm – 9pm

EVENT INFO: Click Here

The Kentucky Derby Museum (Louisville, KY), located within the hallowed grounds of Churchill Downs, is hosting an unforgettable evening honoring the 50th Anniversary of the legendary Secretariat’s Triple Crown run.

Dinner Party: $200 per person

Per their website, the Dinner Party begins at 6:15 p.m., when guests are welcomed with a Woodford Reserve Gold Rush cocktail. Then enjoy a special Secretariat program and a Virginia-inspired three course dinner with a rare pour of Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked. FYI, Secretariat was technically born in Virginia. Guests can then roam through the Museum and experience the brand new Secretariat exhibit.

VIP Experience: $250 per person

Begin the evening at 5:15 p.m. with an exclusive VIP cocktail hour and ribbon cutting. VIP guests will be welcomed with a Woodford Reserve Gold Rush cocktail, have access to the open bar, and be the first to experience the new exhibit. Then join the Dinner Party at 6:30 p.m. for a special Secretariat program and a Virginia-inspired three course dinner with a rare pour of Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked.

Secretariat Bourbon Box Set: Woodford Doubled Oak Private Select

Ticketed guests will have the guaranteed opportunity to purchase one of the Museum’s rare Secretariat Bourbon Box Sets in person. There will be no need to reserve your Box Set in advance, there will be enough quantity for one Box Set per guest.

Per their website:

As a prelude to our new exhibit, Secretariat: America’s Horse (opens in April), Kentucky Derby Museum is celebrating with a Bourbon Box Set featuring a rare bourbon from Woodford Reserve.

Kentucky Derby Museum’s commemorative Secretariat Bourbon Box Set celebrates the legend’s 50th anniversary of his Triple Crown sweep!

This is the only Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Personal Selection pick of 2022. Two batches were selected and bottled for the Museum, yielding only enough Bourbon to fill 400 Box Sets. Every bottle from both batches are numbered. Once these limited Box Sets are sold, the Museum will announce another limited release to coincide with the Secretariat Bourbon Dinner, to be held on Thursday, April 20.

LEARN MORE: CLICK HERE

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