As a side note, following the death of what I feel is the greatest thoroughbred of all time, Secretariat, an autopsy revealed he had an enlarged heart which may have contributed to his success as a race horse........
IIRC Secretariat’s heart was about twice normal size. That may not be quite the same as an enlarged heart, which in humans is a distinct detriment.
As good as American Pharaoh’s win is it can’t begin to compare with the astounding Belmont race of Secretariat. Few things in sports ever will.
IF memory serves Sham was running at a world record pace right beside Secretariat in the back stretch, 10 lengths ahead of the rest. And that’s when Secretariat began to run faster.
He’s so far ahead when he crosses the wire the announcer can’t make an accurate guess. Something like 36 lengths. I still get chills watching that race.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfCMtaNiMDM
Make that 31 lengths rather than 36.