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I'm happy they made the movie for the reason you cite.

I'm just saying it's probably not going to be tremendously appealing to me, primarily because I know Secretariat's story frontwards and backwards and remember his career vividly real time.

I have a signed and numbered portrait of Secretariat on the wall in this room, along with a Ron Turcotte signed finish line photo at the Kentucky Derby taken from the infield with the Twin Spires in the background. I have his famous Belmont finish line photo from the NYRA with Ron Turcotte looking back.

I have Secretariat photographed at the finish line of The Preakness, outstretched and nearly completely airborne. I have him covered in roses at Churchill Downs, and I have him looking determined and resolute as he took the track for his Belmont.

I have his obituary from one of my favorite local newspaper horse racing writers of the day (Jack Patterson, Akron Beacon Journal) matted and framed.

All in this room.

I'll watch the movie, I'm sure.

And I sure won't diss it to anyone looking from the outside in at our sport.

Heck, I liked the thought that I was being corrected by an English teacher better.


In 1984 I thought the Breeders Cup had about as much chance of catching on as a tradition as I thought the Super Bowl had when I decided as much as a 10 year old.

Of course in that year the "Super Bowl" was called "The World Championship Game."

Then Wham-O got involved and the inspiration was set for the transition to "Super Bowl."

I've made two Breeders Cups.

Never a Super Bowl.

:tro:

Apparently in a couple weeks it's going to be one of the movies slotted for private Academy screenings. Out of the top 10 nominated for Best Picture last year, only the Blind Side didn't get screened so it's a good sign they felt it worth showing at something like this. Not saying Secretariat will or won't, but I've been hearing buzz for Diane Lane. Hey, if she just managed to get a nomination, or a Golden Globe nomination, it'll be good for the movie and be good PR for the sport. I wish Baffert's horse (named Haskin of all things) would've been able to be in the movie. Supposedly he's the spitting image of Secretariat. I'd love to see a picture.

I read the review Haskin put on Bloodhorse.com http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse...ig-screen.aspx I think I'll be aware of the flaws, but I also don't think I'll get too bent out of shape about it. I'm a little sad there's no Riva, but they haven't managed to make Sham 18 hands so at least there's that right?

Thanks, Merlinsky.

My motivation for seeing the movie early is moving solidly up.