Secretariat’s Legend Alive at Miller House Derby Party

The Kentucky Derby Party at the Miller House Saturday hosted a special guest.  Charlie Davis, exercise rider for Secretariat, was the man of the hour. Many of us remember Charlie's character in the movie. This living Kentucky Derby Legend spent the entire afternoon telling stories, signing autographs and generally having a great time.

Charlie is 71 now but can still keep up with the best of him. Fans were all ears as he talked about the greatest thoroughbred of our lifetime. You can see the fire in his eyes and hear the excitement in is voice as he talked about the way the horse responded to his voice and touch. "Secretariat was one with the rider. You could feel his chest heave as he ran. It was like a giant bellows sucking air in and out as he pushed harder and harder. That horse loved to run", Charlie told one group.

 Charlie was and still is part of the Triple Crown Team with Jockey Ron Turcotte and owner Penny Chenery. All three were in Louisville for the Run for the Roses but the Kirk family contacted Charlie early and he accepted the invitation to come to town after the Kentucky Oaks race.

The photos in the gallery show several shots taken during the fastest two minutes in racing. View these photos fast, watch the expression and temperment change as the race goes on.

You can see how after all these years the thrill of racing is still in Charlies blood.

Charlie thinks the time is right for a female jockey to win the Kentucky Derby. He was shocked it didn't happen this year but he is convinced it will happen very soon.

For those of us in attendance it was a once in a lifetime thing. After all how many of us get to watch the Historic Kentucky Derby sitting next to a racing legend?  Like Secretariat's career that is the stuff dreams are made of.

Thanks to the Kirk Family for making the 2011 Kentucky Derby such a wonderful event.