I remember that Eddie Arcaro, commentator for the network station, was critical of Bill Hartack's ride saying in so many words that he shouldn't have been fooled by the rocking horse pace (1:16 in 6). Still, MP makes a great effort at trying to nail the eventual horse of the year.
Secretariat's Triple Crown did bring a lot of people out to Belmont Park, but it wasn't even the largest crowd of 1973 for racing in New York. That would happen a few weeks later on July 4, when 73,000 went out to Aqueduct to see Riva Ridge (Secretariat's Stablemate) win the Brooklyn Handicap. Arts And Letters was a truly great horse, and was the third time Elliot Burch used the Met Mile as a successful springboard to a Belmont Stakes victory.
Majestic Prince was a great horse but so was Arts & Letters. Dike ws pretty tough too. It's always entertaining to listen to any race called by the great Fred Capposala!
Another thing to remember of that time: Roosevelt or Yonkers (depending on which was open) used to run Saturday doubleheaders (I was at one of the last Saturday afternoon cards at Roosevelt in 1973, one of my first horse racing experiences). They often drew 15-20,000 for the day card and 30-35,000 at night. That took away from those going to Belmont for events like the Belmont Stakes.
Longden wanted to skip the Belmont because he felt Majestic Prince needed a break. Forced to run him by his owner, the horse never ran again because in the aftermath of the Belmont he was injured and then retired. The fact he ran 2nd is a testament to his Brilliance. Arts and Letters was obviously a great horse, but "The Prince" was great also.
@Wallyhorse With respect I find that hard to believe. I know how important the older horse races were back then, but Secretariat's Triple Crown run brought in so many people who normally had no interest in horse racing. Today there are still people here in Toronto who have the "Big Red" souvenir ticket for his last race. He went off at 1-5 or 1-9, something ridiculous like that. I can even recall a lot of hype for Canenoro II's Triple Crown run in 1971.
This was the 2nd time that one of Paul Mellon's horses stopped a horse from winning the Triple Crown...Quadrangle stopped Northern Dancer from taking the Crown in 1964 also...
Arts and Letters outstanding jockey, Braulio Baeza, really wanted this one; he felt that he had been fouled twice in the Preakness when Majestic Prince "cut me off coming out of the gate and then again turning for home." Mr. Baeza said that Majestic Prince was the better horse in the Kentucky Derby, but "then Arts and Letters started getting better. He started to turn around after that race."
I wonder if Chic Anderson's call (if he called it for CBS, as I believe he called all of the TC races on their broadcasts through 1978, the last two as the regular track announcer for the NYRA tracks) would have noted the Triple Crown on the line.
RJ secordman What I believe you were responding to (comment seems to be deleted from UA-cam) is that when Secretariat won the 1973 Belmont Stakes, even with all the publicity of that year's Belmont stakes and the coverage of it, it only drew 69,000 whereas Riva Ridge's winning the Brooklyn Handicap that July 4 at Aqueduct actually was the most attended day of racing in New York that year with 73,000. The emphasis then was on the older horses in New York and NOT the three year olds and most real fans in New York didn't make a big deal of the three year old stakes, even Secretariat's Belmont. ereaven The Triple Crown was not anywhere near as big a deal in 1969 as it is now. As noted, races for older horses carried much greater importance, especially in New York back then. Fred Caposella (who called this race for the fans at Belmont) was also quite subdued and rarely gave opinions as I understand it.
I've never understood why announcers were so subdued back then. Majestic Prince would've been the 1st TC winner in 21 years, but the announcer made no mention of it during the stretch run: no sound of disappointment like we have today, no mention of Arts & Letters spoiling it. Too bad.
There was a lot of hype for Cannenero II in '71 (which drew a then-record crowd of 82,000+ to Belmont, a mark that would stand until 1999), but that was mainly because he was from Argentina, and the atmosphere for that Belmont more resembled a soccer match as I understand it. This Belmont (1969) WAS in front of a then-record crowd of 66,115 for any form for Belmont Park, but that was unusual as races for older horses, NOT three year olds were the main emphasis then.
The thing missing from that Belmont clearly was speed (other than Arts and Letters). You have to think the connections of Shuvee (who won the Filly Triple Crown in 1969 and Jockey Club Gold Cup in 1970-'71 but wasn't even the top three year old filly of '69 in what was the greatest crop of such ever) secretly regretted not going in that Belmont and trying to steal it on the lead.
2 of the best horses of all time, and a great rivalry..
I remember this race as a kid, first Triple Crown memory right here. Thanks again for your postings.
I remember that Eddie Arcaro, commentator for the network station, was critical of Bill Hartack's ride saying in so many words that he shouldn't have been fooled by the rocking horse pace (1:16 in 6). Still, MP makes a great effort at trying to nail the eventual horse of the year.
Secretariat's Triple Crown did bring a lot of people out to Belmont Park, but it wasn't even the largest crowd of 1973 for racing in New York. That would happen a few weeks later on July 4, when 73,000 went out to Aqueduct to see Riva Ridge (Secretariat's Stablemate) win the Brooklyn Handicap.
Arts And Letters was a truly great horse, and was the third time Elliot Burch used the Met Mile as a successful springboard to a Belmont Stakes victory.
Majestic Prince was a great horse but so was Arts & Letters. Dike ws pretty tough too. It's always entertaining to listen to any race called by the great Fred Capposala!
Another thing to remember of that time:
Roosevelt or Yonkers (depending on which was open) used to run Saturday doubleheaders (I was at one of the last Saturday afternoon cards at Roosevelt in 1973, one of my first horse racing experiences). They often drew 15-20,000 for the day card and 30-35,000 at night. That took away from those going to Belmont for events like the Belmont Stakes.
Longden wanted to skip the Belmont because he felt Majestic Prince needed a break. Forced to run him by his owner, the horse never ran again because in the aftermath of the Belmont he was injured and then retired. The fact he ran 2nd is a testament to his Brilliance. Arts and Letters was obviously a great horse, but "The Prince" was great also.
@Wallyhorse With respect I find that hard to believe. I know how important the older horse races were back then, but Secretariat's Triple Crown run brought in so many people who normally had no interest in horse racing. Today there are still people here in Toronto who have the "Big Red" souvenir ticket for his last race. He went off at 1-5 or 1-9, something ridiculous like that. I can even recall a lot of hype for Canenoro II's Triple Crown run in 1971.
I was a big fan of horse racing then. and was so glad Arts and letters won the Belmont after his bitter losses in the Derby and Preakness.
This was the 2nd time that one of Paul Mellon's horses stopped a horse from winning the Triple Crown...Quadrangle stopped Northern Dancer from taking the Crown in 1964 also...
Arts and Letters outstanding jockey, Braulio Baeza, really wanted this one; he felt that he had been fouled twice in the Preakness when Majestic Prince "cut me off coming out of the gate and then again turning for home." Mr. Baeza said that Majestic Prince was the better horse in the Kentucky Derby, but "then Arts and Letters started getting better. He started to turn around after that race."
I wonder if Chic Anderson's call (if he called it for CBS, as I believe he called all of the TC races on their broadcasts through 1978, the last two as the regular track announcer for the NYRA tracks) would have noted the Triple Crown on the line.
RJ secordman What I believe you were responding to (comment seems to be deleted from UA-cam) is that when Secretariat won the 1973 Belmont Stakes, even with all the publicity of that year's Belmont stakes and the coverage of it, it only drew 69,000 whereas Riva Ridge's winning the Brooklyn Handicap that July 4 at Aqueduct actually was the most attended day of racing in New York that year with 73,000. The emphasis then was on the older horses in New York and NOT the three year olds and most real fans in New York didn't make a big deal of the three year old stakes, even Secretariat's Belmont.
ereaven The Triple Crown was not anywhere near as big a deal in 1969 as it is now. As noted, races for older horses carried much greater importance, especially in New York back then. Fred Caposella (who called this race for the fans at Belmont) was also quite subdued and rarely gave opinions as I understand it.
I've never understood why announcers were so subdued back then. Majestic Prince would've been the 1st TC winner in 21 years, but the announcer made no mention of it during the stretch run: no sound of disappointment like we have today, no mention of Arts & Letters spoiling it. Too bad.
@ereaven I would rather hear the race called in a subdued manner! It's enough to watch a good race!
There was a lot of hype for Cannenero II in '71 (which drew a then-record crowd of 82,000+ to Belmont, a mark that would stand until 1999), but that was mainly because he was from Argentina, and the atmosphere for that Belmont more resembled a soccer match as I understand it. This Belmont (1969) WAS in front of a then-record crowd of 66,115 for any form for Belmont Park, but that was unusual as races for older horses, NOT three year olds were the main emphasis then.
Great rivalry, majestic prince had lost weight from the derby, and preakness, he wasnt at his best, both gallant brave horses.
How did Majestic Prince get hurt?
The thing missing from that Belmont clearly was speed (other than Arts and Letters). You have to think the connections of Shuvee (who won the Filly Triple Crown in 1969 and Jockey Club Gold Cup in 1970-'71 but wasn't even the top three year old filly of '69 in what was the greatest crop of such ever) secretly regretted not going in that Belmont and trying to steal it on the lead.
@bronco3250 Didn't know that, just watched that video as well.