First in Twenty-Five



On this very date in nineteen seventy three

Secretariat became a horse clearly home-free

As, in a race for three-year-old thoroughbreds

Run yearly at New York's Belmont Park, he led



Becoming the first such winner for a quarter century

And the very first to do so within modern history ...

To come ahead of the pack in the Preakness

Then the Kentucky Derby, and be so blessed



As to win the Belmont Stakes, and thus the prize

... The Triple Crown ... which nobody can deny

Is the single greatest achievement in the equestrian sport

For the few horses who've won it, will never come to nought



- Tristram



© Christopher W. Thomas

11:30pm Wed. June 9th, 1999