Big Red

Girl Power Meets Horse Power

He ran for the roses, while the heads of academia,

Sipping their mint juleps and crunching macadamias,

Ordered their Hot Browns, and laid their money down,

And said, No way this horse is gonna win the triple crown!

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It was 1973, and a woman they called Penny,

Trying to save a penniless farm, her horses weren’t too many.

All it takes is one foal from a magic dame and sire,

To turn all eyes on Penny, set the racing world on fire.

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He pulls ahead at Churchill. Preakness boasts a record crowd.

Now Secretariat takes the line at Belmont, looking proud.

“He won’t do it,” sneer the experts, as the people cheer and chant.

Secretariat wins by record lengths, no one told him, You can’t.

Never underestimate a woman with a vision.

Penny saves the farm, Big Red accomplishes his mission.

The chancers cheer and raise a glass, some people even cry.

Secretariat makes history with a twinkle in his eye.

Big Red and Penny

It had been 25 years since a horse had won the Triple Crown, which includes wins at the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. Winning by 31 lengths and almost 3 seconds, the stallion nicknamed Big Red -- Secretariat -- broke a record held for 25 years.

Secretariat still holds that record today.

Even more amazing was the fact that Secretariat's win saved his family's farm, Meadow Stable. His dedicated owner, Penny Chenery (1922-2017), a single woman trying to save her father's dying stables, exploded into the racing scene and made history of her own.

She became one of the first women admitted to the Jockey Club, established the Secretariat Foundation, and received the 2006 Eclipse Award of Merit for her many amazing contributions to her beloved racing community.

Penny received letters from little girls all over the country, inspired by the ambitious woman who showed them they, too, could chase their own victories and dream their own dreams.

Secretariat raced for 16 months before he went to stud. He won 16 races and over a million dollars, and retired to Paris in 1989.

Here's a video of the record-breaking winning moment!

This is a Vocal + Assist challenge on Facebook! The challenge was to write about 1973, and include the word "macadamia" and a rhyming word. We cordially invite you to join our writing community at Vocal+ Assist! The more voices, the better!