An Open Letter: The Moment Has Arrived — Netflix’s Documentary on Secretariat and the Legends of the Kentucky Derby
To horse racing fans, sports lovers, and dreamers across the world,
The moment has arrived.
Netflix, the streaming titan known for powerful storytelling, is galloping full-speed into one of the most iconic and revered corners of American sports history. This fall, they will unveil a long-awaited documentary that dives deep into the mystique of Secretariat and the thunderous tradition of the Kentucky Derby. This is not just a film. It is a reverent tribute — a cinematic homage to legends, both equine and human, who reshaped the sport and the spirit of racing forever.
We live in an era of fleeting fame, yet Secretariat’s legacy has only grown stronger since that astonishing Triple Crown run in 1973. Fifty years on, his name still echoes like a war cry down the stretch of Churchill Downs, his image still etched in the collective memory of anyone who witnessed — or has since discovered — the impossible: that final 31-length demolition at the Belmont Stakes, a race that felt more like a supernatural event than a sporting contest.
But Secretariat was not born in a vacuum. He was the product of passion, grit, and the indomitable will of those around him. Netflix’s new documentary promises an in-depth exploration of not just the horse, but the entire constellation of figures that orbit his legend — Penny Chenery, the determined owner who refused to be sidelined in a male-dominated sport; Lucien Laurin, the crusty trainer with a golden touch; and Ron Turcotte, the quiet, steel-nerved jockey who piloted Big Red to glory.
More than a biography, this film is expected to be a tapestry of stories: unsung heroes in the stables, black grooms who formed the backbone of the sport but were rarely credited, and rival horses who never stood a chance but pushed Secretariat to become something more than great — something immortal.
The Kentucky Derby, too, is not just a race. It’s a rite of passage. A cultural phenomenon. And Netflix has set out to capture it in its full, blazing majesty — not as a single two-minute sprint, but as the culmination of a lifetime of work, risk, and faith. From the dusty farms of Kentucky to the polished grandeur of Derby Day, the film is said to follow the arc of those who devote everything for a shot at the winner’s circle. It’s a story of gamblers and dreamers, breeders and believers, all bound by a single shared hope: that lightning might strike once again.
What makes this moment special is the timing. In an age where digital entertainment reigns and attention spans wither, to bring Secretariat’s story to life with modern, high-definition clarity is to reintroduce a myth to a generation that needs heroes. This isn’t just nostalgia. It’s necessary.
Because Secretariat wasn’t just a horse.
He was an answer to a country on edge, reeling from war and scandal, looking for something — anything — pure. He galloped with the grace of a ballet dancer and the fury of a storm. He broke records and broke expectations. He wasn’t just fast. He was transcendent.
Netflix has shown they can do sports documentaries right — from “The Last Dance” to “Drive to Survive” — but this project is different. This is sacred ground. This is history in motion. This is the heart of American racing laid bare for the world to see.
So, as viewers, we don’t just anticipate the premiere — we prepare for it. We prepare to feel the thunder of hooves, to see the glint of the twin spires at Churchill Downs, and to once again witness the flash of red and blue silks streaking into legend. We prepare to relive a time when a horse made us all believe again.
To the filmmakers: thank you for doing this right. To the racing world: this is your moment. And to Secretariat — Big Red — we’ll see you on screen, ears pricked, mane flying, still chasing eternity.
The moment has arrived.
Sincerely,
A Grateful Fan of Racing’s Greatest Champion
The Netflix documentary on Secretariat and the Kentucky Derby is slated for release later this year, with exclusive interviews, rare archival footage, and never-before-seen insights into the lives and legacies behind America’s greatest racehorse.
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