I think this race would play out counter-intuitively.

There's loads of speed in the race ... so intuitively you'd look for closers. But ... knowing there's so much speed ... makes everyone leery of a suicidal pace ... so ...

Affirmed goes right out and sets a pace which isn't too taxing ... slower than his :45.3 in 1978 ... say :46.3 ... with Count Fleet and War Admiral close up ... Gallant Fox, Seattle Slew, Omaha, and Sir Barton next ... then Citation, Assault, Secretariat, and Whirlaway.

But as they go down the backstretch ... Secretariat makes a Preakness-like move and goes towards the leaders. Citation and Gallant Fox move with him.

After 6f in 1:10.2 ... Secretariat starts his big turn move and strikes the lead ... Affirmed as always digs back in ... and Citation, Count Fleet, Gallant Fox and War Admiral are right there after a mile in 1:34.3 ... as Seattle Slew and Sir Barton are under drives to keep up ... Omaha and Assault lose position ... and Whirlaway moves from the back.

At the eighth pole ... Secretariat has opened up 4 ... Citation passes Affirmed ... Count Fleet and War Admiral are still together ... as are Seattle Slew and Sir Barton ... as Gallant Fox backs off a bit ... Whirlaway has made up some ground ... and Omaha and Assault are struggling.

They go under the wire in 1:59 flat (NTR) ... with Secretariat winning by 3 1/2 lengths, Citation by 2 1/4 over Affirmed who has 1/2 on War Admiral ... who gets the best of a photo with Sir Barton and Count Fleet ... Whirlaway is another length back passing Seattle Slew and Gallant Fox ... who has 2 on Assault ... with Omaha last ... 13 lengths behind the winner.

Secretariat pays $3.90 ... 2.40 ... 2.10 ... Citation ... $3.60 ... 2.20 ... Affirmed $3.20. The exacta pays $21.40 ... trifecta $85.00.

Secretariat kicks and bucks as the blanket of roses is flung across his withers.