<P> Secretariat won the Eclipse Award for American Champion Two - Year - Old Male Horse and, in a rare occurrence, two two - year - olds topped the balloting for 1972 American Horse of the Year honors, with Secretariat edging out the undefeated filly, La Prevoyante . Secretariat received the votes of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America and the Daily Racing Form, while La Prevoyante was chosen by the National Turf Writers Association . Only one horse since then, Favorite Trick in 1997, has won that award as a two - year - old . </P> <P> In January 1973, Christopher Chenery, the founder of Meadow Stables, died and the taxes on his estate forced his daughter Penny to consider selling Secretariat . Together with Seth Hancock of Claiborne Farm, she instead managed to syndicate the horse, selling 32 shares worth $190,000 each for a total of $6.08 million, a world syndication record at the time, surpassing the previous record for Nijinsky who was syndicated for $5.44 million in 1970 . Hancock said the sale was easy, citing Secretariat's two - year - old performance, breeding, and appearance . "He's, well, he's a hell of a horse ." Chenery retained four shares in the horse and would have complete control over his three - year - old racing campaign, but agreed that he would be retired at the end of the year . </P> <P> Secretariat wintered in Florida but did not race until March 17, 1973 in the Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct, where he went off as the heavy favorite . As the trainer of one of his opponents put it, "The only chance we have is if he falls down ." Racing boxed in by horses on each side, Turcotte decided to go through a narrow gap between horses rather than try to circle the field . Secretariat broke free and won easily, but one of the other jockeys claimed that Secretariat had committed a foul going through the hole . The stewards reviewed photos from the race and determined that Secretariat was actually on the receiving end of a bump, so let the result stand . The Bay Shore established that Secretariat had improved over the winter and that he could also handle adversity . </P> <P> In the Gotham Stakes on April 7, Laurin decided to experiment with Secretariat's running style . With no speed horses entered in the race, Secretariat would be allowed to set his own pace . Accordingly, Turcotte hustled Secretariat from the starting gate and they led easily . Down the stretch though, Champagne Charlie came running and at the eighth pole was almost even . Turcotte tapped Secretariat once on each side with the whip and Secretariat drew away to win by three lengths . He ran the first 3 / 4 mile in 1: 08 ​ ⁄ and finished the one - mile race in 1: 33 ​ ⁄, matching the track record . </P>

Who did secretariat beat in the triple crown