"Secretariat Day," named in honor of the 1973 Triple Crown winner, legendary racehorse, and upcoming Walt Disney Co.'s new film, "Secretariat," will be held on Saturday, September 18th at Calder Casino and Race Course. The day at the track includes:
Chances for race goers to win screening tickets to local theatres, posters, movie promotional items, and Kentucky Derby videos. Entries will be collected until 12pm noon on Saturday, September 18 at the second floor Twin Spires Club, with drawings held all afternoon.
- Photo opportunities with a Secretariat "look-a-like" statue wearing his famed blue and white blinkers.
- Calder collectible program featuring quotes from jockeys who raced against "Big Red" (official program costs $2.50)
- A special race named in Secretariat's honor
- A Secretariat Memorabilia Display can be viewed throughout the weekend. The display features a rare poster of the famed 1999 postage stamp issued by the U.S. postal service featuring the horse; international coverage of the horse from Japan to Venezuela; books written in his honor; a Penny Chenery (his owner) autographed Derby cover photo; Secretariat's Newsweek feature story; his stallion retirement photo; and a photo of his amazing 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes. The photo is signed by his jockey, Ron Turcotte. Memorabilia will also be for sale with a portion of the proceeds going to Pure Thoughts Thoroughbred Rehabilitation and Placement.
- The Pure Thoughts organization will be onsite to educate guests about Thoroughbreds, how the horses are retrained after racing, and what famed horses they have placed. They will also be selling horse-related charity items including a one-of-a-kind Secretariat print donated by famed horseracing artist Debbie Sampson.
About the film: The movie release is October 8 nationally. "The Impossible True Story," SECRETARIAT chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Housewife and mother Penny Chenery (played by DIANE LANE) agrees to take over her ailing father's Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horseracing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery-with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (JOHN MALKOVICH)-manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and what may be the greatest racehorse of all time.
Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010
First live race post time at 1:10 p.m.
Calder Casino & Race Course
21001 NW 27th Avenue (University Drive)
Miami Gardens, Florida 33056
(On the Miami-Dade / Broward county line...Just north of Sun Life Stadium)
Free parking and general admission. Valet parking available.