ALTIMORE (AP) - Secretariat may be the only thoroughbred in history to set a track record 39 years after he crossed the finish line.
Secretariat's winning time in the 1973 Preakness has been changed to reflect that the Triple Crown-winning colt's time was actually faster than the stakes record.
The Maryland Racing Commission voted 7-0 in a special hearing to change the official time of the race from 1:54 2/5 to 1:53. That gives Secretariat records in each of his three Triple Crown races - the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes - that still stand.
The commission investigated the official timing of the Preakness at the request of Secretariat's 90-year-old owner, Penny Chenery, and Pimlico president Tom Chuckas.
"I didn't know if it was appropriate to cheer but I couldn't help myself," Chenery said. "This is a big day."
