Horse Park to Unveil Secretariat Statue July 17

The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington will dedicate a statue of 1973 Triple Crown champion Secretariat on July 17. The unveiling is part of a two-day celebration designed to allow the horse-loving community to pay tribute to the legacy of the horse known fondly as "Big Red."

The event will kick off on Friday at 5 p.m. with an art exhibit at The Cross Gate Gallery on Main Street in Lexington featuring Secretariat art pieces by such art world luminaries as Leroy Neiman, Kate Upton, Larry Wheeler, Richard Stone Reeves and the statue's creator, Edward Bogucki. Later that evening there will be an invitation-only "Secretariat Celebration" gala at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The line-up of events for Saturday at the Kentucky Horse Park include a 5K race titled the "Big Red Run" starting at 8:30 a.m. The race will be followed by a "Secretariatfest" featuring 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 feature event of the day, the unveiling of Secretariat's statue, will take place at noon followed by a reunion and signing of the Meadow Stable Racing team, including Secretariat's owner, Penny Chenery, and his jockey, Ron Turcotte.