Ever wonder what Secretariat, or Smarty Jones, or Affirmed might have thought (or said) about their own life and times and races? Let's use some horse sense.
from Smarty Jones, gassing and being gained on by a little Birdstone in the 2004 Belmont Stakes - "Where in the dickens is the end of this race? I'm usually done by now. Is there a finish line?"
from Spectacular Bid, before the 1979 Belmont Stakes - "Would someone get this *#*! safety pin out of my hoof? How am I supposed to win a Triple Crown like this?"
from Barbaro, after the 2006 Kentucky Derby - "Ahhh...that felt good! What a nice turn of foot today. I think I've got two more in me."
from Secretariat, in the 1973 Belmont Stakes - "What a lovely day for a romp. I think I'll stretch out a little more."
from Secretariat, in the 1973 Preakness Stakes - "What will people say about this one?"
from Secretariat, in the 1973 Kentucky Derby - "Wow, I feel great today! I think I'll run faster. Wonder if I can run faster than that last quarter mile."
from Afleet Alex, in the 2005 Preakness Stakes - "Oh, my! Stay up...oh, no, no! Stay up! Do that little ballet shuffle your mama taught you...oh...there. There! Up and away!"
from Alydar, who battled Affirmed in all three Triple Crown races, in the 1978 Preakness Stakes - "Again?"
from Affirmed, who battled Alydar in all three Triple Crown races, in the 1978 Preakness Stakes - "Again?"
from Alydar, in the 1978 Belmont Stakes - "I'm not going away!"
from Affirmed, in the 1978 Belmont Stakes - "Give up, kid! Go away! This is my moment.!" or, "He's not going away, Steve." or, "I'm not going away!"
from Citation, any week in February, 1948 - "Four races in one month! Who will ever work this hard in the future?"
thinking more seriously about it:
from the very great Australian champion, Phar Lap, on his awful dying day stalled at Menlo Park, California, April 5, 1932 - "Da-- Yankees!"
