There's no Triple Crown chance this year, and so the Belmont Stakes will be just a blip, if that, on most people's radar. I love horse racing simply because watching horses run, whether it's around a track or on the plains, is quite simply one of the most moving of experiences. Grace, muscle, power, poetry, natural beauty. It can move me to tears.
Lest you forget: Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973, and it was his performance at the Belmont that cemented his claim as the greatest thoroughbred to run a race (some consider Man-O-War the greatest). If you've never seen that race, you can watch it here. And to put that horse and that race into context, I also recommend watching Part II of ESPN Classic's tribute to Secretariat.
"Secretariat is widening now! He's moving like a tremendous machine!"
Sends chills down my spine.
