With all the justifiable excitement over Rachel Alexandra running in the Haskell on Sunday at Monmouth Park and facing what promises to be a strong field with Belmont Stakes winner, Summer Bird and Arkansas Derby winner, Papa Clem, expected to be on hand, I thought today would be a nice time to hark back to another fine filly that was awfully tough to tame for those that faced her.
Lady's Secret had greatness inside her from the very beginning. Her Sire was 1973 Triple Crown winner, Secretariat, and with the exception of Risen Star, it could be said she was the greatest progeny he was ever connected with. Lady's Secret won 25 over her 45 lifetime starts and included among those wins were some pretty important Stakes victory. In fact, she went back-to-back in three separate races in 1985 and 1986, the Ruffian Handicap, the Beldame Stakes, and the Maskette Handicap. She nearly did that in the Breeders' Cup Distaff as well, running second to her stablemate, Life's Magic at Aqueduct in 1985, and winning at Santa Anita in 1986. She earned a very stout $3,021,325 during her career and was named Horse Of The Year in 1986 and was inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1992.
"The Iron Lady" was a great runner in her time and should certainly not be forgotten. In fact, the greatness that Rachel Alexandra is currently displaying should only further reinvigorate our memories of Lady's Secret, for she earned her place in the stratosphere of Thoroughbred greatness.
Tune in again tomorrow for a look at this weekend's Haskell Invitational from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Photo courtesy of pbs.org
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