On this Date In History...

On July 4, 1950, Allen Jerkens saddled his first winner when Populace, sent off at odds of nearly 12-1, took the third race at Aqueduct Racecourse. Included among his stakes winners since that time have been Onion and Prove Out, each of whom had the distinction of beating Secretariat in 1973; 1994 champion older filly or mare Sky Beauty; and Devil His Due. Jerkens was then the youngest member inducted into racing's Hall of Fame at age 45 in 1975. Jerkens, the Eclipse Award-winning trainer of 1973, is the father of trainers James A. Jerkens and Steven Jerkens.

Secretariat Fourth in Debut

Meadow Stable's Secretariat was dealt his worst career defeat when he finished fourth under Paul Feliciano in his career debut at Aqueduct on July 4, 1972. According to the Daily Racing Form chart description: "Secretariat, impeded after the start, lacked room between horses racing into the turn, ducked to the inside after getting through into the stretch, and finished full of run along the rail." The race was won by Calumet Farm's Herbull, who was ridden by Angel Cordero Jr. With Feliciano in the irons again, Secretariat broke his maiden in his second start, a six-length victory at Aqueduct on July 15, 1972.