Every time I’ve seen a clip of Secretariat winning the Derby, Preakness, or Belmont, (while appreciating his brilliance), there’s always been a sense of “what could have been” in the back of my mind. My father rode Sham, and for all intents and purposes Sham did deserve a better fate than essentially playing the role of Secretariat’s punching bag throughout the course of the 1973 Triple Crown.
I had never met Penny Chenery until last Saturday, and in those few brief moments, any feelings of regret quickly went by the wayside.
It’s easy to understand how and why she became the media darling and racing icon she still is.
When introduced, you don’t know whether to shake her hand, bow, or refer to her as “your majesty.”
Exaggerating a bit, but you get the point.
Sometimes, whether it is celebrities, athletes, or someone else of high stature, the person you watch on television or read about in books or magazines can be quite different when the cameras aren’t rolling.
Mrs. Chenery could not have been more personable, approachable, or kind in the few moments we had to sit down and interview her.
In short, she represents everything that is right in the Sport of Kings, (and Queens), and when faith decided she would be the one to own the greatest racehorse that ever lived — the racing gods, undoubtedly, got this one right.
(Even if they did make the mistake of creating Big Red and Sham the same year!)
Ok, so maybe I’m not totally over it . . .
