On May 13th in sports history, one significant event took place in 1973 during the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the prestigious Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.

The 1973 Preakness Stakes was held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The heavy favorite going into the race was the legendary racehorse Secretariat, who had recently won the Kentucky Derby in record time. Secretariat, also known as "Big Red," was a chestnut colt with an impressive build and an even more impressive racing record.

In the Preakness, Secretariat faced off against a field of tough competitors, including his rival Sham. As the gates opened, Secretariat immediately took the lead, setting a blistering pace. Sham tried to keep up, but Secretariat continued to pull away.

As they turned for home, Secretariat had opened up a sizeable lead. The crowd roared as the magnificent horse thundered down the homestretch, his powerful strides eating up the ground. Jockey Ron Turcotte looked back over his shoulder, realizing that no other horse was even close.

Secretariat crossed the finish line an astonishing 2 1⁄2 lengths ahead of Sham, winning the Preakness Stakes in a record time of 1:53 flat. This time stood as the fastest Preakness Stakes ever run until 2020, when it was finally broken by Swiss Skydiver.

Secretariat's performance at the Preakness was just one of many incredible feats in his illustrious career. He would go on to win the Belmont Stakes by an unbelievable 31 lengths, cementing his status as one of the greatest racehorses of all time and becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years.

The 1973 Preakness Stakes on May 13th showcased the brilliance, speed, and sheer dominance of Secretariat, a true icon in the world of sports history.