1973 Kentucky Derby entered the homestretch, Secretariat passed Sham in the final furlong and distanced himself to consolidate his lead. Secretariat would go on to win the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in the succeeding weeks, thus becoming the ninth horse to complete the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. Thirteen horses entered the Derby, which could have at most twenty participants. Horse owners had to pay a final entry fee of $2,500 to have their horses officially entered. The field was larger than anticipated because of new entries following Secretariat's loss at the Wood Memorial Stakes in New York. The Wood Memorial had
1919 Belmont Stakes 2:17.4 set an American record for 1 –mile. 1919 Belmont Stakes The 1919 Belmont Stakes was the 51st running of the Belmont Stakes. It was the 13th Belmont Stakes held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York and was held on June 11, 1919. With a field of only three horses, heavily favored Sir Barton won the 1 –mile race (11 f; 2.2 km) by 5 lengths over Sweep On. By winning the Belmont, Sir Barton became the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes -- a feat which would later become known