Secretariat

PENNY: More than 3,000 years ago,

a man named Job complained to God about all his troubles.

And the Bible tells us that God answered.

"Do you give the horse his strength?

"Or clothe his neck with a flowing mane?

"Do you make him leap like a locust,

"striking terror with his proud snorting?

"He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength

"and charges into the fray.

"He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing.

"He does not shy away from the sword.

"The quiver rattles against his side,

"along with the flashing spear and lance.

"In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground.

"He cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds."

BIRDS CHIRPING

WOMAN: Kate, Sarah, you have to leave in ten minutes.

MAN: Penny, I have three shirts to pick up at the cleaners,

and two more to go in the hamper, if you wouldn't mind?

- I'll pick those up. - Also go by the wine shop,

pick up some Riesling? I have a client coming in. That's all he drinks.

Sarah, orange juice, please.

- No nuclear devices on the table. - Come on, Dad.

Daddy, I need to pick up a gown.

Another gown?

When you earn your own money, you can buy gowns for every party.

I'm sure we can find something reasonable. We can go look this weekend.

- Not Gewurztraminer, only Riesling. - Mom, can we have pancakes?

- Working on it. - Che Guevara or Ho Chi Minh?

- What are you doing? - Getting ready for a Christmas pageant.

- A Christmas pageant? When? - Spring.

It's experimental. Has to do with Christmas and lots of things.

Really? That's great! What's the role?

- The War Protester. - I was thinking that we could...

- The what? - The War Protester.

PHONE RINGS

It's a really good role, Mom. You'll love it. You, too, Dad.

- Tweedy residence. This is she. - War protester in a Christmas pageant?

We'll leave this afternoon. Thank you.

MAN: Hey, what are you doing? I don't pay you to dream, I pay you to work.

Now, let's get to it. Come on! You do that on your own time.

- What shall I have this time? - Thank you.

Oh, Hollis.

Mama's gone.

She's gone. Hi, Jack.

Hollis, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your mother was always so kind to me.

- Miss Chenery, we're sorry. - Thank you.

Penny... SIGHS

Penny, darling. Darling.

Girls, you remember Miss Ham? Granddaddy's secretary?

- Hi, Miss Ham. - Oh, my, you two have grown.

Thank you so much, Miss Ham. For everything.

Hollis said you found her.

She had just fallen. The doctor said she didn't suffer.

- She looked...peaceful. - Hmm.

How is Daddy?

He keeps asking, "Where is she?"

But I'm not sure if he's asking for your mother or you.

Hmm.

Girls, I'm going to go in and see your granddaddy now.

I'll bring you in later.

Come on, girls. Let's get you something to eat.

Don't let them fool you, darling.

It's not whether they think we won.

It's whether we think we won.

You run your race, Penny.

CHUCKLES

We'll take 'em.

FATHER'S VOICE: 'We just got ourselves a couple of new horses.

YOUNG PENNY: 'Are we going to race them?'

LAUGHS: 'No.'

They're going to be mommies and daddies for new horses.

Helen?

Daddy, it's Penny.

Penny.

You got married.

Yes.

But I'm here now.

Because Mama's gone.

Mama's pin?

Yours now.

Daddy.

PRIEST: The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in.

From this time forth...

and even for ever more.

And so we return to You your faithful servant, Helen Chenery.

Loving mother, devoted wife...

who lived each moment to the fullest,

cherishing the life she had with her beloved husband, Christopher.

And may the peace that passeth all understanding

be in your hearts now and for ever more.

- Amen. - ALL: Amen.

THUNDER RUMBLES

Eddie? Eddie, I just wanted to thank you so much for coming.

Miss Penny, your mama was a fine woman. I just feel real bad for Mr Chenery.

He always thought the world of you. He said you could hear the horses' thoughts through your hands.

Yeah, well, your father's a good man, Miss Penny.

Thank you.

Mrs Tweedy?

I'm Arthur Hancock. Your daddy called me...

Bull! Oh, yes, and everyone else did, too, as I recall.

This is my son, Seth.

- Hi, nice to meet you. - Thank you for coming.

Your mother was a fine woman. It was a privilege just knowing her.

Thank you.

I know you're going to be making some changes,

and if you or your family have any questions, Miss Ham's got my number.

Thank you, Bull.

Ma'am...

your daddy's eyes would always light up when he talked about you.

How smart you are. How much you loved the horses.

THUNDER RUMBLES

HOLLIS: Doctor says there may be some brief moments

when he is aware of things, but we shouldn't expect much.

Practical thing would be to put him in a nursing home.

This is home to him. And he knows he's here.

I think as long as he does, we should hire nurses and let him stay at home.

LAUGHS The farm has to go.

And it won't bring much.

It's been losing money hand over fist for years now.

We have to face facts. To run a horse breeding operation,

you need a certain touch.

I'm a professor, and you're a housewife.

I moved up our flight to first thing tomorrow. I've got to get back.

Jack, I need a few more days here.

I have to make sure Daddy's all right, sort through Mother's things.

The kids could all do with a little responsibility.

It will just be a few days.

We need to file right away for his, um, power of attorney.

Miss Ham says he tried to sell four of his best horses last month

for half of what they're worth.

Mom had to step in and stop him, and now...

I suppose someone will have to clean up for the liquidation.

Hollis, if you need any help on the tax issues you call me, any time.

Thanks, Jack. It will just be for a few days.

HORSE WHINNIES

CHILDREN LAUGH

Sarah makes great pancakes.

- Oh, no! - They're toxic. We won't survive.

That's right, you won't.

Make sure Hollis has that power of attorney order.

- The estate's vulnerable. - I will. I'll stay on him.

Mom, give Granddaddy a hug for us when he wakes up.

- I will. I love you! - CHILDREN: Love you!

- CHILDREN: Bye, Mom! - Be good!

KATE: We will!

HORSES WHINNIES

Miss Ham. Thank you.

Two sugars and cream?

How did you know?

- It's how your daddy likes it. - Oh.

You doing all right, honey?

Yes.

No. But I'll be all right.

These two are both pregnant by Bold Ruler.

And great colts come from great sires.

Miss Ham?

My mother thought the world of you.

And my father's trust in you was... is absolute.

I hope you'll stay.

Funny, I was about to tell you the same thing.

MAN: Al! Who the hell told you to bring this one out?

The sable, put it back. Bring out the yearling in 18.

- AL: Yes, sir, Mr Jansen. - Who are you?

Penny Tweedy.

Penny Chenery.

Oh, you're the daughter.

- Better get back to work. - Excuse me, Mr Jansen?

Could I talk with you a moment? In private?

Oh.

- About what? - I wanted to ask you about that sale

of those brood mares that my mother stopped a few weeks ago.

I know you and your brother aren't horse people and you suffered a loss,

but you don't need to worry about this right now.

Apparently, I do

since they're my father's horses, and the sale would've been bad business.

No, it's bad business to come to a barn, interrupt a trainer's work.

- Not if you want to keep him. - I understand.

- But about that sale? - What about it?

They were worth twice what we were going to sell them for.

I couldn't sleep last night, so I checked the books

and I made some calls this morning to be sure.

Like you say, I don't own the horses. Your father has to sell them.

But as trainer, you would know their worth

and that they were about to be sold.

I'm wondering why it had to be my mother

who stopped the sale and not you.

The old man, your father? Ask him.

I'm asking you! My father's been sick for quite a long time now.

You've been paid to look out for his interests.

And I do! Just because this place is going downhill it ain't my fault.

The sale was going to be to Oakworth Farms?

I learned this morning that the owners of Oakworth

were talking about selling our horses

for twice the price they were going to pay us.

You train for them, too, don't you?

I don't have an exclusive deal here. I work for them sometimes. So what?

So if you arranged a deal

that gave them four horses at half their market value

and they paid you back, plus an extra share on everything they made,

that wouldn't just be disloyal.

That would be committing fraud.

Who the hell do you think you are? Coming here, accusing me?

Someone who knows enough law to know she's right.

And I'm not "missy" anything. Get your things and get off my farm!

I have a contract, and I'll sue you.

If I ever even hear your name again, I will see that you go to prison!

CAR ENGINE STARTS

TYRES SQUEALING ON GRAVEL

Where does Bull Hancock eat lunch?

At his club, every day.

But it's gentlemen only.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Uh, miss? Uh... Miss, you can't...

I'm sorry, Mr Hancock.

I told her this was a gentleman's club, and she just...

It's all right, Brenda. It's all right.

Thank you, Seth. I apologise for interrupting.

It's fine. I have friends here, Miss Chenery.

Thank you.

Well, how's it going?

I fired Earl Jansen.

Do tell.

Does that mean you're selling the horses or keeping them?

The farm's in bad shape, as is Daddy.

But I'm not willing to sell it unless I get what it's worth.

Well, horse farm needs a strong hand on the reins,

but the hand that threw Earl Jansen out the door

looks pretty strong to me.

Well, I've got a family back in Denver.

I need a good trainer just to get things stabilised.

You need to talk to Lucien Laurin. He's a French Canadian.

Dresses like Super Fly.

He's trying to retire.

What do you mean, "trying"?

FAINT INDISTINCT CHATTER

GRUNTS

Mr Laurin?

Excuse me. I'm Penny Chenery, Chris Chenery's daughter.

And, um, I need a trainer. Bull Hancock suggested that I find you...

Yeah, Bull called me, but I tell you,

I'm tired of babysitting half-ton animals who are nearly as stubborn

and stupid as their owners are.

I've lost interest in racing. Don't even follow it any more.

Well, I'm in a bit of a tight spot.

I wonder if you might just try it

- for a few months and see how... - I don't need to try anything,

and trainers don't go anywhere to work for a few months.

They go where there is a good horse.

Well, we have plenty of good horses.

No, you don't. You have one or two that might be worth the time,

but you're a little short on people over there

who know what they're doing.

Well, that's why I've come to see you, Mr Laurin.

Miss, you're not hearing me.

A trainer makes his living off commissions.

Ten per cent off sales, ten per cent off winners.

To get a top trainer, you need a top horse.

You're going to have to go back to Bull

and see if he has any other ideas.

Mr Laurin, two of our mares are pregnant by Bold Ruler

who is the finest stallion of his generation.

- Fore! - MAN: Hey!

- Fore! - MAN: Watch where you're hitting!

Well, I yelled "fore," you idiot. That's what "fore" means.

You see how I am, Miss Chenery, when I put myself

in a position to do something poorly?

And I'm afraid at your stable, I'd be yelling "fore" all day long.

Give my regards to your father.

Fore!

HORSES WHINNY AND SNORT

- JACK: 'When are you coming back?' - PENNY: 'Soon.

'I need to talk to you about this coin toss thing.'

- 'Coin toss?' - 'Jack, listen.

'Stallions cost more than mares. No, they're more glamorous.

'But Daddy knew that a great horse

'comes just as much from the mare as the stallion.

'He invested in mares, which is the first smart thing he did.

'Second smart thing he did was he made a deal with

'Ogden Phipps.

JACK: 'Phipps? Richest man in America?'

PENNY: 'Yes. Instead of paying a stud fee,

'Daddy made a deal to breed Phipps'

'best stallion with our two best mares.

'When the mares are close to term,

'they toss a coin to see who gets which foal.'

That coin toss is in two weeks!

What's the difference? I don't have any idea which horse to choose.

I've been through the stud books, Jack. Bold Ruler, that's the sire.

He was fast, but he couldn't last over distances.

Now the two dams are Hasty Matilda and Something Royal.

Hasty Matilda is eight years old. She's still young.

'Since brood mares tend to produce

'their best offspring while they're young,

'that makes her foal the obvious choice, since Something Royal's 17.'

But her grandsire was Princequillo.

He had great stamina, Jack. Do you know what that means?

Penny? Penny!

What?

'Sire and dam and Sam-l-Am? What is this?'

Come on. We need you here, Penny.

'Come home.'

Right after the coin toss.

LINE GOES DEAD

- You about ready? - We're ready.

- Excuse me just a minute. - Mm-hm.

I'll be making the toss. Are you waiting on anybody else?

- No, I came alone. - We toss right on the hour.

- Good luck to you. - Thank you.

Hi. Good to see you, Mr Hancock. How are you?

Hollis. What are you doing here?

I called Jack about our tax issues, and he told me you fired our trainer.

How do you expect to fetch a good price on the farm

if we don't have a training operation in place?

He was dishonest. He had to go.

You came down here because of a trainer?

This coin toss is big. The foal could be worth a great deal.

I checked with some of Phipps' people.

They think he wants Hasty Matilda's foal.

So that's who we'll choose.

No, Hollis, I think that's wrong.

Something Royal's colt could have an unusual mix of speed and stamina.

Phipps has the best horse people

in the world. You think you know more than they do?

(Come on.)

Please don't take offence, Miss Chenery,

but your father almost never won our coin tosses.

And I do hope you've inherited his luck.

All right. We're all here now.

Mr Phipps has the call as the owner of Bold Ruler.

The winner has the choice of the offspring of Mr Chenery's mares.

Hasty Matilda or Something Royal.

Are we all in agreement here? All right. Here we go.

- Call. - OGDEN: Heads.

Heads it is. I'll go with Hasty Matilda.

Miss Chenery. Please give my best to your father.

Well, that's that.

But I got what I wanted.

CORK POPS

You got what nobody else wanted. Time to go home.

Can I give you a lift home?

No, thank you, I have Daddy's truck here.

- All right. - Bye, Bull.

So, who won the coin toss?

Phipps. He went with Hasty Matilda.

Of course he did.

Call me when she's ready to drop her foal.

Pigs! Pigs. They're all such pigs!

We've been putting on this Protest Pageant for a year.

Now the teacher says it's too political and we can't put it on.

What do you mean you can't?

They have a rule that theatre projects can't be political.

When the teacher saw what we were doing... Dad, can we sue them?

If you didn't disclose until today,

they couldn't be held liable for a breach.

What?

PHONE RINGS

Honey, listen. If this is really important to you, you won't...

- Tweedy residence. - MAN: 'Is Miss Chenery there?'

- Can we talk about this some more? - Yeah. OK. Fine.

Penny. For Miss Chenery.

- This is Penny. - 'This is Eddie.

'Something Royal is about to drop her foal.'

- All right. Thank you. - 'Bye, Miss Chenery.'

Something Royal's foal is on its way. Kick hard! Come on! Kick, Chris! Come on. Good job!

Hey, John. How would you like to come with me and see a horse being born?

- Really? - Yeah!

OK. SHE LAUGHS

HORSE GRUNTING

How many times has she done this?

She did it 13 times.

You've done it four.

Yes.

HORSE GROANS

COLT WHINNIES It's a boy. It's a boy.

PENNY SIGHS

- Have you ever seen that? - No. Not me.

- What? - A colt stand up that fast.

Une bete total.

COLT WHINNIES

Hey, Daddy. I brought you some company.

This is the Bold Ruler colt, Daddy.

We call him Big Red.

Let him run his race, darling.

MAN OVER PA: 'Flight 226 to Denver is ready for boarding. Gate 33-D.'

- PENNY: Almost done. - JACK: I know this is hard for you.

How long do you think you can keep living two lives at once?

The yearlings are looking good, especially the red one.

We've cut expenses.

We're breaking even.

I thought the point was to sell the farm, not to break even.

Penny When I went off to college, I felt like that colt.

Full of promise.

Full of adventure, like I could...

..make something work.

I gave up a career to have our family, and...

..this colt is part of our family now.

I just want to see him run.

So after two years of juggling all this...

..it isn't ending, it's just...beginning?

LUCIEN: How's he feel, Jimmy?

Just a big kid having fun out there.

He'll figure it out. Huh, Red?

LUCIEN: That's good. That's good.

Now, listen, Jimmy, don't try to change his natural gait, OK?

Don't force him. And also...

PENNY: Well, Mr Laurin, what do you think?

LUCIEN: I think he's 1,100 pounds of baby fat.

He eats too much and too often.

The only reason he doesn't eat more is because he's too busy sleeping.

He only does what HE wants to do exactly when HE wants to do it.

He lays against the back of that starting gate

like he's in a hammock in the Caribbean.

And when he finally does get out of the gate,

it takes him for ever to find his stride.

Any other questions?

I have one. How much did you spend on that hat?

Right now this horse is all sleep and eat.

But he's got fire inside him. Ain't that right, Red?

That horse couldn't beat a fat man encased in cement

being dragged backwards by a freight train.

Well, you should know, Mr Laurin.

Mm-hm. BIG RED SNORTS

You thought that was funny. I did, too.

I wish we could just race him under his name - Red.

The Jockey Club insists on unique names.

I keep sending them, they keep rejecting them.

I've tried Something Special, Royal Line, Deo Volente...

Deo Volente. "God willing."

God may have been willing, but The Jockey Club wasn't.

Well, there is a race up in Aqueduct in a couple weeks.

I think we should send him out. It's time. Not that I'm expecting much.

Let's enter him, then.

Deo Volente.

- JACK: Well, that was really good! - BOYS: Can we be excused?

Sure.

- Please bring in the dessert. - OK, Mom.

It's good you're home.

Your daughters have something

- they want to talk to you about. - Oh?

What's that?

Kate and I were thinking of going to Chile.

Just for a couple of months.

Chile? What for?

Um...

Teach English and learn Spanish. It's part of a cultural mission.

A mission to stir up trouble and act cool, you mean?

Chile is socialist now.

- Thank you. - Go play.

It is not. And that's not why we're going.

Although if an opportunity to protest the war did present itself...

See? This is what you're missing.

Your teenage daughters growing up to become rebels.

No, more like hippies. Free spirits.

Hippies are running from paying the price of freedom.

If there's a price, how is it freedom, Dad?

I'll answer that question when you become an adult.

PENNY: Would anyone like some pie?

- No, thanks. - No, thank you.

PENNY: Well...

SIGHS

When do you have to give an answer by?

There's a meeting for the parents on the fifth.

The day after my Protest Pageant.

Your play? You're doing your play?

Yeah. I present it as a civic arts summer programme, so...

Oh, Kate, after two years, you're finally going to do it.

Both of you can make it, right?

The new colt runs his first race on the fourth.

That's in New York. I will be on the first plane home.

- OK. - Oh, by the way, Miss Ham called.

Something about a name for the horse.

UP-TEMPO BRASS BAND MUSIC

OVER PA: 'Rounding out the field in the fourth race

'is the son of Bold Ruler: Secretariat.'

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Right up through there, that one's ours.

Let's take off this stupid... Paul. Where's Paul? Paul!

- Here. Right here. - Listen.

- Quit sneaking around. - Yes.

Got it? Listen.

Watch out for number six. He's got the speed.

Also, watch out for number three, who's going to hold back

with five and eight along with him. And watch out for number one.

That's the BEST horse in the field. Watch out for him.

- All right. - Where do you want this?

Are there any he doesn't need to be watching out for?

Did I say number four?

We're four.

- What? - We're four.

Oh, yeah. Right. Well, definitely watch out for number four.

Hmm. INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM PA

Bonne chance.

- Oh... Jockey's mighty young. - He is mighty young.

He's good enough. He'll do.

You don't like my hat? Why?

Do you like my hat?

- Your hat? - Yeah.

I... Well... It's...

I do. I like the hat.

LAUGHS

I do... I DO. I like the hat.

Help me.

SHE MUTTERS Of course I do.

I like it very much.

CHUCKLES Sorry.

- Oh. - What's wrong?

I just realised that's the first time I've...I've laughed,

I've really laughed, in a... Since I don't remember when.

Ah...

PENNY LAUGHS

BUGLE PLAYS

She scares me.

COMMENTATOR: 'Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to

'the fourth race at Aqueduct, maiden trip,

'for two-year-olds, among them, Secretariat by Bold Ruler.

'Secretariat leaning against the back of the gate.'

BELL RINGS

'And they're off.'

LUCIEN: It wasn't exactly what I had in mind.

PENNY: You said he was ready to race.

He was ready to race. He just wasn't ready to play bumper cars.

Fourth? And he runs like he's afraid? I expect more than that.

So do I. What were you doing?

- He got hit coming out of the gate. - We saw he got hit.

You got him mugged at the gate,

mugged in the pack, and mugged on the rail!

- You're off him. - We need to talk about this.

Don't start with me. YOU are off him!

Go on home. Just go on.

And YOU stay out of this. It's none of your business.

- Excuse me? What are you saying? - The horse should never have lost.

Are you sure that it was Paul's fault, then?

Ce garcon! Il ne savait pas ce qu'il faisait.

Ce cheval n'aurait jamais du perdre. Jamais.

Say that in English.

No. It was my fault.

He doesn't have enough experience.

This horse needs a jock with more experience.

Well, I know this.

If his jockey won't back off, Red won't back off. From anything!

You want a jockey who won't back off, then you want Ronnie Turcotte.

I want to meet with him. When I'm back in two weeks.

One more thing.

I'm new to this, and you know a lot more about it than I do.

But don't ever say this is none of my business.

Every bit of this is my business! Do you understand?

Yes, ma'am.

I called to check on your flight.

- They cancelled it due to weather. - Oh, no.

- I'm sorry. - No. Kate's play.

- KATE: # Silent night... # - ACTORS CHANT: War, war, war, war...

# ..Holy night... #

PHONE RINGS

# ..All is calm... #

- Mom? - Honey. Is she on, almost?

CHRIS: 'Yeah, she's just starting.'

Oh!

Let me hear.

- # ..Mother and child... # - CHANTING: ..War, war, war...

# ..Holy infant so

'# Tender and mild... #'

Can you hear?

Yeah, I hear!

Dad says it's Commie crap.

'It's art, honey.'

It's art.

CHUCKLES

- # ..Sleep in heavenly peace... # - War, war, war, war...

'# ..Silent night

'# Holy night... #'

SOBS

'# ..Shepherds quake

'# At the sight... #'

Thank you.

TYRES SCREECH HORNS HONK

MAN SHOUTING: You got a problem?

- Hey! - DRIVER: Get out of the street!

I'm trying to get across the street.

DRIVER: Move out of the way! Use crutches on the sidewalk!

HORN BLARES Idiot!

- Miss Chenery? - Mr Turcotte. Oh, I'm so sorry.

Well, Lucien and I were so hoping

that you'd be able to ride in our next race.

I'll be ready. Why wouldn't I be?

I spoke with some of the owners you ride for.

They say you're one of the best. You got a great touch.

You're great with young horses.

They also say that you can be over-aggressive.

Use bad judgment. Put a horse into too much traffic where he can't run.

Then why did you come to me?

I hear you have the heart of a champion. I know my horse does.

CLEARS THROAT

I read here that the last horse you were on ran so hard

his heart burst?

Lucien dit la verite.

- I'm sorry? - Lucien told the truth.

What did Lucien say?

That you're hard as nails.

Miss Chenery, I risk my life every time I climb on a horse.

I'm not afraid. Neither are they.

I want to win, just like they do.

It's true. The last horse I rode ran so hard his heart burst.

But it's who they are. And it's who I am.

You want somebody else, get somebody else.

I don't want somebody else.

I want you.

FANFARE PLAYS

INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS OVER PA

INDISTINCT CHATTER

- Here you go. - MISS HAM: Thank you.

- Secretariat? - It's not going to happen.

So which of you ladies owns Secretary?

His name is Secretariat.

And he's going to make your horse take dictation.

LAUGHTER You don't know which horses we own.

Doesn't matter. Mine's the big red one. And he's going to beat them all.

Big red one(!)

- I see him. - Yup.

MAN OVER PA: 'It's a beautiful day at Saratoga Park.'

- MAN: Close them up! - 'We're ready for our six-furlong,

'single-turn sprint for two-year-olds.

'Conditions are perfect. The track is rated very fast.'

BELL RINGS 'And they're off!

'The field is spreading out. Russ Miron out quickly.'

Come on, Ronnie, make your move!

He's got nowhere to move. I thought you said Turcotte was aggressive.

RONNIE: OK, Red. Let's go get them!

'Secretariat. Secretariat making a bold move.

'Secretariat surging,

'knocking Blackthorn and Fat Frank aside with brute force.'

RONNIE: That's it, Red. We got them.

'He's overtaking the field, passing Joe Iz, Tropic Action,

'now approaching Blackthorn.

'A spectacular event. Secretariat is catching up to Russ Miron.'

- Fore! - 'Russ Miron on the inside.

'Secretariat on the outside, now getting the lead by a head.

'Secretariat pulling away!

'It's Secretariat. Secretariat and Russ Miron.

'Secretariat taking the lead as they come to the wire.

'It's Secretariat with an impressive victory by two lengths.'

Oh!

Thank you.

CHUCKLES

REPORTERS Clamouring

- Looks like you finished last. - I was there long enough.

Oh.

Is it just me, or is that horse posing?

You and I both know that horse...

Owner hates the attention, but the horse loves it.

# I know a place

# Ain't nobody cryin'

# Ain't nobody worried... #

'Secretariat wins by three lengths!'

CHEERING

'Secretariat by five lengths!'

'Secretariat by eight!'

'Secretariat wins!'

'Secretariat!'

'Secretariat!'

'Secretariat!'

# ..Help me y'all

# I'll take you there

# Help me now

# I'll take you there

# Oh, mmm

# I'll take you there

# Oh, oh, mercy!

# I'll take you there

# Oh, let me take you there

# I'll take you there

# Oh, oh, oh, let me take you there

# I'll take you there

# Let me

# Play your, play your piano now

# All right

# Ah yeah

# Do it

# Do it

# Come on now

# Play on it

# Play on it... #

MUSIC FADES

HORSES WHINNIES AND GRUNTS

Seven wins in four months.

There's talk he could be Horse of the Year.

Mm-hm.

But most of the sons of Bold Ruler

couldn't handle the distance as three-year-old runs.

And they've all failed as Triple Crown contenders.

So what can you tell us about Secretariat?

He loves to run. Loves it.

Likes to come from behind.

Nerve-racking for me, but his fans love it.

And he's a ham.

He likes to show off, doesn't he?

You really think he knows what he's doing?

Don't look at me.

Beyer's the one that said he can't run long distances.

You do acknowledge the issue, right?

That speed and endurance don't necessarily go...

GUSHING LIQUID

Oh! LAUGHTER

No way.

Hey, Thelma! Bring more hamburger. These little guys eat like elephants!

PENNY: You are doing a great job with him, Lucien.

Let me ask you something. Why did you choose me?

I know Bull recommended me.

But you had to know, you do your homework, that there were other

more successful trainers you could've gotten.

The truth? I was hungry. And so were you.

I heard that you carried the clippings

from the big races that you lost.

So that's why you didn't try very hard to convince me.

Well, I knew you couldn't stay retired, after I saw your golf swing.

Hey! Secretariat! Horse of the Year!

THEY CHEER

Fantastic.

Ronnie.

- Arnold Palmers for everyone! - PENNY: Oh, big spender(!)

- Congratulations. - Mmm!

- Great riding, Ronnie. - Good job.

- Look at this. - Hey, Ronnie.

- Good job, man. - Thank you, man.

To the greatest horse I ever rode.

And to its owner, who took on the old boys and won.

But now that you've gotten their attention,

you're going to have to take them on in earnest next year.

- The races are longer. - Much longer.

- The horses are faster. - Much faster.

And every owner, every trainer, every jockey out there

is going to be trying to bring us down.

- I'll be ready. - Salut.

PENNY: Horse of the Year! We have to celebrate.

Is this the article that's going to be running across the country?

Did you hear? Did you?

It's your daddy, honey.

He's had a stroke.

Let's just go.

I don't think there's much left unsaid between us, Daddy.

I always knew where you stood.

And I'm grateful... so grateful,

for the way you showed me

what it was to stand up in the world and...

...live the way you believe.

The big red colt won Horse of the Year, Daddy.

I think he can go all the way.

And if he does...

I hope...

I hope...

I hope you could see it.

SHE SOBS

SHE SOBS

DOOR OPENS

Jack, what are you doing here? How did you get here so fast?

I'm so sorry about your father.

I was already on my way.

Already? Are the children all right?

They're fine. I left Denver before I heard the news.

Hollis had asked me to study the tax issues

that would arise upon your father's death.

Issues that now find us totally unprepared.

So you've asked my husband to become your ally in this?

It's family business.

And, last time I checked,

Jack and your children were still part of this family.

Hollis, you're my brother and I love you,

but if you presume to judge my fitness as a wife or mother

I will count you a stranger for the rest of my life.

Penny, Hollis is only trying to talk sense.

We need to regain some perspective.

- Regain?! - Penny, it's just...

Let's not talk about this right now.

No. No, no, no. She needs to hear this.

She needs to hear what?

At the current value of his estate,

the inheritance tax will be at least six million dollars.

And neither of us has a fraction of that money.

So we sell the mares and the yearlings.

I had an appraisal done, and that won't get us HALF of what we need.

But there is another option.

I'm not selling him.

Due to his outstanding two-year-old season,

if he were sold today, Secretariat would bring a price of

seven million dollars.

But if he were to lose just one of the Triple Crown races

that value would drop to three million with no way to recover it.

So we sell Secretariat.

- You try and sell him and... - We're out of time.

If we don't play this right, it could amount to nothing.

Our father came from nothing.

And his legacy to me isn't money.

It's the will to win! If you can. And live with it if you can't.

If I have to challenge you in court on this, I will.

Miss Ham? Would you come in here a moment, please?

PENNY: Thank you, Miss Ham.

Would you tell Jack and Hollis about the document that Daddy left for you.

Five years ago, Mr Chenery had me witness him signing a provision that,

while both of you are beneficiaries,

dispersal of the farm would be left to Hollis.

Decisions regarding the horses would be left to Penny.

We could argue he already had dementia.

He was of sound mind when he signed it.

I'd swear to it...in court.

Thank you, Miss Ham.

HOLLIS: Great(!) I teach economics at Harvard,

and I don't know a way to conjure up six million dollars

before you race him again. What makes you think you can?

I'll find a way. And if I can't, I'll live with it.

Why? Why do you need to live with it?

Make me, the whole family, live with it for a past that is gone!

Our father was a great man, but we can't bring him back.

This isn't about going back.

This is about life being ahead of you and you run at it.

Because you never know how far you can go unless you run.

That's great(!)

But if you stumble and fall,

you don't just make us fools, you make us beggars.

When your horse people call the house,

they don't ask for Mrs Tweedy, they ask for Miss Chenery.

- Is that who you've become? - Jack...

..Miss Chenery and Mrs Tweedy have always been the same person.

I'm wondering how it is that Mr Tweedy could...take sides against me.

Trying to muscle me into something. Can't do that.

- Good evening, Eddie. - Hi, ma'am.

How are you, Big Red?

- How's it going? - Ma'am...

I reckon you heard about Bull Hancock, ma'am?

No.

Well...

..after your daddy's funeral, they say he went home and just fell dead.

SIGHS Oh...

I don't know about the ways of God, ma'am,

but...I know your daddy and Mr Bull lifted each other up.

The way you lift me up and the way you lift up Red.

Everything living lives from its heart,

and I wish I can give you something to lift yours up.

Well, thank you, Eddie. You just did.

What does he see?

When he looks at me, I feel like he looks right into me.

He sees what matters to him, ma'am. What's immediate.

The clouds and stuff, they don't mean nothing to a horse.

Lights, sounds, flashes... Intentions!

That's what a horse notices.

Especially one as smart as Big Red here.

And they can tell when the horse next to them or behind them

wants to be first to the food. Or the mare.

Or the finish line.

That's what matters to them.

Ain't that right?

Well, it's never been done. But that doesn't mean it won't work.

We offer 32 shareholders exclusive breeding rights.

We call it "a select opportunity."

Father would've loved that phrase. How much per?

190,000.

190...?!

Mm-hm.

That's more than anybody's ever paid for a breeding share. A lot more.

That's what makes it exciting, Seth. Horseracing's all about excitement.

He's been a great colt,

but he's completely untried as a three-year-old.

And the sons of Bold Ruler, they're long on speed, but short on stamina.

Yeah, and his mother was old when she had him and Ogden Phipps

knew all that when he could have chosen my colt.

But he didn't. And now I'VE got Secretariat.

And he's got a horse named Missed Opportunity.

Daddy used to always say that rich people are rich

because they're smart with their money.

And they're going to insist on a performance clause.

No son of Bold Ruler has ever won a single Triple Crown race.

That's a mile-and-a-half distance

that Secretariat's never come close to running.

You're going to lose the farm and the horse, everything.

HORSE WHINNIES

SETH: This is a big deal. I have never done anything like this before.

Nobody has.

You mind if I ask why you called me?

Well...

Your father, he really helped me and...

..and work is good for grief.

I'm in.

Howard Keck on line one, Bunker Hunt on line two.

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!

CLEARS THROAT

- Mr Hunt? Penny Chenery. - Mr Keck, Seth Hancock.

I was calling about a select opportunity on Secretariat.

No, sir, he's not for sale.

No, no, no, we are moving to syndicate his breeding rights.

It's a select opportunity. We have 32 shares...

'Oh, yes, sir. It's a great opportunity.

'I will head that way. I'll see you in a bit.'

All right, bye-bye.

MR KECK: Look, Seth, I've been a part of lots of these deals,

but I've never been asked to pay

190 grand for a breeding share. Nobody has.

Tell Mr Chenery's little girl that she's priced this colt

like he's already won the Triple Crown.

I'm calling on behalf of Penny Chenery. Oh, I see.

We will call him back later. Thank you.

GROWLS

Dr Todd, please. It's Elizabeth Ham.

PENNY: 'No disrespect, sir, but if he gets any better,

'you're going to want to be in on this.'

All due respect, but I got a pretty good handle on where I want to be.

PENNY: You could have her give me a call me later this afternoon.

SETH: Yes, Mr Cleaver, it's lots of money.

But my father used to tell me you got to spend money to make it.

MR CLEAVER: I'll put some thought into it,

- all righty. - Thank you.

MISS HAM: Jock Whitney's a "no." And Mr Mellon's on line two.

Mr Mellon, thank you for getting back to me.

Of course, I understand, Mr Mellon.

I'll hold a share for you in case you reconsider. Thank you.

GOSPEL MUSIC ON RADIO

# Oh, when he washed

# When Jesus washed

# When Jesus washed

# Washed my sins away

# Oh, happy day

# Oh, happy day

# Oh, happy day

# Oh, happy day

# Oh, happy day

# Oh, happy day

# Oh, happy day

# When Jesus washed

# When Jesus washed

# Oh when he washed

# When Jesus washed

# When Jesus washed

# When Jesus washed

# He washed our sins away

# Oh, happy day

# Oh, it's a happy day

# Oh, happy day

# He taught me how

# He taught me how

# To wash, fight and pray

# Oh, yeah, oh, yeah

# Fight and pray

# And we'll rejoice

# Every day

# Every day

# Oh, happy day... #

MUSIC FADES

LUCIEN: Have you ever seen that?

EDDIE: No, not me. That boy a whopper.

I don't care how many times they say no.

I don't care how many times

they tell us we can't do it. I am not giving up!

I will not live the rest of my life in regret!

We are going to see that horse run and win!

And we are going to live rejoicing! Every day!

Amen.

- Ronnie! - Mrs Tweedy.

- Going to have some lunch? - Yes, ma'am.

Just getting a bite to eat before I go to the room. What about you?

-I'm meeting somebody. - Hello, Mr Phipps,

- Thank you for coming. - Miss Tweedy. My pleasure.

- You know Ronnie Turcotte, my rider? - Ronnie.

So, they call you "Tiny"?

What?

Mr Phipps...

- Thank you for coming. - Sure.

- Are we ready yet? - We're still thinking about it.

If I smell the air correctly, Mrs Tweedy,

you're about to ask me to spend a small fortune

to buy a share in a horse I could've owned for nothing.

That's true, I am.

Nobody's buying yet, are they?

That's right. They need someone to lead them.

You know that horse I chose the day we flipped the coin?

She's the prettiest, best-tempered horse in my whole stable.

And she couldn't outrun my accountants.

So now you've got the Horse of the Year, and I look foolish.

It's not foolish to be unlucky, Mr Phipps.

Most men, if they had chosen wrong and lost this horse

wouldn't think of investing in him, but you're bigger than that.

And if you do invest in him

instead of being the man who lost Secretariat in the past,

you'll be the one who had the vision to lead investors in his future.

His future is uncertain.

And I don't buy shares in untested three-year-olds.

But my accountants,

they may be slow afoot, but they are quick to calculate

and they tell me that you're in a rough spot.

So I'll buy that horse of yours right now.

Seven million dollars. All cash.

I can't do that.

If he does what I think he'll do, his value will double, if not triple.

You do know what you're saying.

You're guaranteeing that this horse is going to win the Triple Crown.

The Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont.

Three races, three states in just five weeks.

Hasn't been done in 25 years.

There are a lot of good horsemen think it can't be done any more.

Just understand, this is what you're saying.

That is exactly what I'm saying.

Eight million.

No.

You're that stubborn?

I'm that right.

Have we made up our mind yet?

Yes, I think we have.

'All this talk about Secretariat.

'He hasn't faced a horse as good as Sham.

'My horse is faster and stronger. And we're not waiting for the Derby.

'We're going to the Wood Memorial.

'And when Secretariat has to run as far as my horse did today

'he's going to fade like the sunset.

- 'I guarantee it.' - MISS HAM: He is ridiculous.

Well, Seth, what do you make of that?

I think that fellow is going to make Lucien say things in French

my mama would spank him for.

This guy will not shut his face!

"Lucien Laurin cannot train a winning horse."

OK, so he's saying that I'm incompetent. He never shuts up.

This guy, he couldn't train a flea to jump.

He couldn't train a monkey to pick at his own butt.

- Step out here with me. - He could not train...

The guy couldn't train his own bowel movements.

The Wood is in New York. You're going to need a new dress.

They say, "Secretariat's owner is striking and charismatic."

PHONE RINGS

- Penny Tweedy. - JACK: 'I saw the paper.'

- Yes. Didn't Seth do a great job? - 'I'd like to say'

congratulations, but I am a lawyer, and I know what

'performance guarantees mean.'

SIGHS

Jack, I don't know how to earn a reward without taking a risk.

Is it really true Ogden Phipps offered you eight million dollars?

It's true. And he wouldn't have made that offer

unless he thought Secretariat would be worth twice that.

The richest man in the world can take a risk like that, Penny.

- 'But I can't.' - You?

'I just mean,'

do what you want with your money.

'But I can't spend my money on a risk like that.'

Don't worry. I understand. Not a cent of your money.

I didn't mean it like that. I just meant...

I understood how you meant it, Jack.

Let's talk later.

There are words of wisdom that have sustained me

throughout my darkest times.

If you don't mind, I'd like to share them with you.

I'm all ears, Miss Ham.

They are: "Good evening, Kmart shoppers."

THEY CHUCKLE

MAN OVER PA: '15 minutes to post. 15 minutes.

MISS HAM: There he is.

LUCIEN: Edward, it's big enough for a Clydesdale!

It ain't big enough for Red.

Maybe he's still hiding fat from the winter.

Does he look fat to you?

Dix minutes...

et il trouvera des cendres.

What are you doing?

The same thing I've done with every belt I ever owned.

FANFARE PLAYS

EDDIE: Come on, Red.

MAN: Miss Penny, look this way, please.

You OK, Miss Ham?

I just hate what she's having to go through,

and there's so little I can do to help.

Some day I'd like to be able to do for that horse

half of what you do for its owner.

Lucien, those are the grandest words ANYONE'S ever said to me.

- Lucien. - Mr Phipps. How are you?

- Good morning. - Best to you.

Good morning.

- Good luck today. - Thank you.

PA: 'The horses now being loaded in for the big race of the day,

'the match-up between Secretariat and Sham.'

You're going to eat dirt today, Ronnie.

'The final test before the campaign for the Triple Crown,

'the first test of whether the big horse

'from Virginia can cover the distance.'

Time to see who's got the real horse.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

'The horses are in the gate.

'Secretariat a bit uneasy, but that seems characteristic for him.'

BELL RINGS

- 'And they're off!' - Yeah, he goes right to the back.

'Horses breaking nicely. Angle Light moving from the outside.

'Secretariat settling in at the rear of the pack.'

- OK. It's OK. - Come on, Ronnie.

'Heading toward the rail. Step Nicely in second.

'Sham in good position running in third.

'Secretariat seems to be labouring.'

- Go, Red! - He always does this. It's OK.

'Angle Light holds the lead into the turn. Sham in perfect position.

'Sham moves up. Secretariat pressing forward.'

- Come on, Red! - Go! Go!

Come on, Red! Come on!

Pincay's waiting for Turcotte to move.

Now, Red, now!

CHEERING Whoo!

Come on.

'Angle Light and Sham driving for home!

'Secretariat starting to challenge!

'They straighten away in the stretch!

'Angle Light holding on to the lead now.

'Sham second, far outside is Secretariat!

'Coming on the 16th pole, Angle Light in front

'by a length and a quarter. Sham is second.'

- God. - What's he doing?

'Angle Light in front. Sham on the outside.

'Sham and Angle Light driving to the wire! Secretariat fading!'

- No! - Go! Go!

'It's Angle Light and Sham! Angle Light and Sham at the wire!

'Secretariat a stunning and distant third!'

All right, Sham! Way to go!

EXHALES HEAVILY

You know I speak for everyone.

One loss can happen. Two is non-performance.

- I understand. - I'm sure you do.

Another son of Bold Ruler, all speed and no distance.

CLAMOURING Magnificent! Magnificent!

Next time we'll bury him even worse!

You cost me ten grand, Turcotte! Hey, loser!

Loser!

Who are you calling a loser? Think you can do any better?

- Eddie! - LUCIEN: Ronnie. Ronnie!

- What was that? - He didn't fire.

He didn't sound right.

- What do you mean? - In his other races

- he sounded like a freight train. - Come with me. Just go inside.

Sit!

We just lost a race that we could NOT afford to lose!

We finished third. Third! In front of Ogden Phipps!

I've got a slew of other investors here. What am I supposed to say?

Just tell them the truth. The horse had a bad day.

The horse? We're blaming the horse now?!

And you? How could you hold him back that long? What were you thinking?

I didn't hold him back. I rode him the same way I always do.

The only reason Sham didn't beat us worse is because

his jockey couldn't believe what was happening!

He was waiting for you.

The only reason I don't fire you both

is because we're leaving for Kentucky tomorrow.

Do what you think is right, ma'am.

It's not Ronnie's fault. He had him where he should be.

Well, if it's not the horse and it's not Ronnie

then you had better figure out what happened today

and you had better fix it!

Because if that is the best he can do at this distance, we are finished!

HE EXHALES

HE SPEAKS FRENCH

THUNDER RUMBLES

- Has he eaten anything? - Nothing.

And this a horse that's never missed a meal in his life.

- How much oats you usually give him? - 16 quarts.

- 25 pounds of hay. - A day?

That's more than a couple of pregnant mares would put away.

Yeah, well...

OK, now. Easy. I'm not going to hurt you.

I don't think he the one going to get hurt, Doc.

- Snorts - Settle down.

Lucien, you want to give me a hand here?

- No, thanks. - You scared of him?

This horse has been waiting two years for me to put a hand next to his mouth.

I'm not going to do that.

IT SNORTS

Ooh.

I think I got your problem here, Lucien.

He's got an abscess.

ROCK MUSIC PLAYING

TELEPHONE RINGS

Hello?

I'm calling for Kate Tweedy, please? It's her mother.

'Kate! Your mother's on the phone.'

Mom!

Oh, I... I just wanted to see how you're doing.

Uh... Hey, I'm kind of busy right now. We're getting ready for a march.

'Mom? Are you OK with that?'

Oh...

Kate...

our political beliefs can change...

..but our need to do what we believe is right...

..that doesn't.

I'm proud of you.

Thanks, Mom. Hey, I got to go. Can we talk later?

Sure.

- Are you all right? - Sure. Yeah, we'll talk later.

OK. Bye.

SHE SOBS

Doc found a big abscess in Red's lip.

It probably hurt him all the way around the track.

Ain't nobody seen it because Red won't soften up his mouth for nobody but you.

- Oh... Lucien... - Forget it.

Let's get him ready for the Derby.

PENNY: Ronnie!

I am so sorry.

I didn't know what happened before. Apparently...

INDISTINCT CHATTERING

'In preparation for the 99th running of the Kentucky Derby,

'please welcome Secretariat!'

We love you, Big Red!

- Story's over here. - Do you think Secretariat is ready?

We're very excited.

- Is Secretariat ready for this race? - Yes, indeed.

Listen, we'll take care of the horse, you take care of the reporters.

I don't know what to say.

You're as big a story as the horse, OK.

If you want him fit, you take care of them.

- Welcome to the Derby. - Thank you.

So that's Pancho over there with Sham, right?

Sure is.

Can't wait till you win this Derby, so we can go home.

HE WHISTLES

I keep hearing rumours.

Secretariat's got bone chips, bad ankles, bad knees.

Sham's burning up the track and Secretariat has gone missing.

- So has his owner. - She'll be at the press conference.

The only thing she hates worse than talking about herself is backing down.

MAN: I can't wait much longer.

All right, gentlemen, I guess we're going to get started.

Let's open it up for questions.

ALL CLAMOUR

Pancho, is it true you're predicting Sham's victory?

Lucien, there are rumours your horse is hurt. Any comment?

Pancho, how are you feeling about Sham's readiness?

Fantastic! You've all seen his workouts. He's never looked better.

ALL MURMUR

Penny, Sham's turning in awesome workouts.

- When will you work Secretariat? - Soon.

Any concern Secretariat will run the same way he did his last race?

Yes.

LAUGHTER

Pancho, some people think Secretariat didn't appear to be himself

- in Wood Memorial. - "Didn't appear to be himself?"

Is that journalism-ese for getting your butt whipped?

CROWD LAUGHS

PANCHO: Horseracing is unforgiving for trainers, horses and housewives.

CROWD GROANS

PANCHO: Let me tell you

what you're going to hear from the Secretariat people.

Excuses, excuses, excuses!

Let me tell you what you're going to hear from me.

We beat Big Red at the Wood, and we're going to beat him here again.

Any comment, Miss Tweedy?

How much pressure are you feeling from your investors right now?

Well, it's like every other all-or-nothing,

multimillion-dollar gamble we housewives make every day.

CROWD LAUGHS

Miss Tweedy didn't hear me, so I'm going to make it very clear.

Secretariat is going down.

I guarantee it!

CROWD MURMUR

Pancho's starting to brag like a boxer.

Maybe he plans on taking up prize-fighting

after he finishes horseracing.

Sham has about as much chance of beating Secretariat

as Pancho has of beating Muhammad Ali.

CROWD LAUGHS

EDDIE: I know it hurt, but I got to do it, Red.

How's it look?

Same. Still ain't ate.

I'm going to have Ronnie take him out in the morning.

See how it goes.

It's nothing like Sham's been running.

Nothing like Secretariat's been running. Penny's not talking.

- Eddie? - No, ma'am. He's still off his feed.

Miss Tweedy? Miss Tweedy? How's your horse doing?

He'll answer that question for himself on race day.

- You're Bill... Nack, right? - Yes, ma'am.

I've read you. You write like a poet. Why do you do this?

For years, they had me covering politicians.

I wanted to write about the other end of the horse.

Why do you do this, Miss Penny?

I'm his voice.

STOPWATCH TICKING

Penny, we think the abscess is gone, but he still hasn't eaten

and Ronnie says his breathing is still a little shallow.

I don't know. I don't know if we should run him.

Can I have a moment with him?

All right, then. I'll see you in the morning.

OK, Eddie.

Thank you.

EDDIE: Hey, Kentucky!

Big old Red done ate his breakfast this morning!

And you about to see something

that you ain't never even seen before!

So get ready!

Get ready!

FANFARE PLAYS

CROWD SINGS OLD KENTUCKY HOME

# We will sing one song

# For my old Kentucky home

# For my old Kentucky home... #

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Do you think he'll be OK?

He ate his food this morning.

It's your day, baby.

GIRL: Excuse me.

Hold it.

- He's posing again. - This way.

- Good luck today, Miss Penny. - Thank you.

THE CROWD CHEER

WOMAN: Go, Secretariat!

MAN: Yeah!

IT SNORTS

THE CROWD CHEERS

Easy, Red.

Safe trip, boys.

WOMAN: Bring it home, Red!

- Big day, Mrs Tweedy. - Mm-hm.

Yeah!

There you go, boy.

IT NEIGHS

MAN: OK, get him in.

Get him in there.

Hold it, hold it.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Come on now, Red, come on. Don't get distracted. Focus. You got it.

MAN: Go ahead. Hold up, now.

MAN: Steady! All right!

Come on, Big Red!

MAN: All right, let's go.

MALE ANNOUNCER: They're at the post. Secretariat throws his head just a bit.

SECRETARIAT BREATHES HEAVILY

STARTING BELL RINGS

MALE ANNOUNCER: And they're off in the 99th running of the Kentucky Derby!