Penny Chenery, who owned Secretariat, watches as a statue of Big Red is unloaded at the Kentucky Horse Park on Wednesday.
Edited press releaseA statue immortalizing Triple Crown winner Secretariat will be unveiled at the Kentucky Horse Park July 17 as part of a two-day celebration designed to pay tribute to the legacy of the horse known as "Big Red."The celebration will begin July 16 with a Secretariat art exhibit at The Cross Gate Gallery in downtown Lexington. There also will be a private party and preview of the statue hosted by Secretariat's owner, Penny Chenery, at the Kentucky Horse Park. The cost is $175 per person, and it includes dinner, a live auction featuring signature Secretariat memorabilia, and the Peter Duchin Orchestra.On July 17 at the Kentucky Horse Park, registration for the "Big Red Run," a 5K race, will begin at 7:30 a.m. EDT. The race will be followed by a "Secretariatfest" that will feature vendors, viewings of Secretariat's race films, a display of Big Red's trophy collection, children's pony rides, and other activities including tours to Claiborne and Gainsborough Farms. The featured event of the day, the unveiling of Secretariat's statue, will take place at noon and will be hosted by former jockey Donna Barton Brothers. It will be followed by a reunion and autograph signing by the Meadow Stable Racing team, including Chenery and jockey Ron Turcotte.Fans can also "Stake Their Claim to the Inner Circle" of the Secretariat statue by purchasing brick pavers with their names, personal message, or organization engraved in one of three sizes.A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to the Secretariat Foundation, which distributes funding to various thoroughbred related charities. For more information, go to www.secretariat.com or call 502-473-1036.
