Lengths #1
by Thomas Michael McDade
 

When Secretariat won

the Belmont by 31 lengths

long lines kept me from catching

the start of the race

but I would have seen him

in the stretch but for three

couples blocking the view,

women hoisted on the shoulders

of their men like kids.

One gal was super fine.

Her long hair, Big Red

hued was a poor substitute.

I caught a glimpse

of Twice A Prince,

a horse reporters wrote

was strictly Suffolk Downs

who ran second and I wished

I’d combined him in an exacta

if only just to spite

the fourth estate.

The last race helped

make up for missing

that legendary romp.

I had Big Red L, Eddie Maple up,

across the board at 12-1.

I witnessed every length

of the stretch run –

all the Triple Crown freaks

heading for the woodwork

or wherever they go

to hibernate.

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