By how many lengths did Secretariat win the 1973 Belmont Stakes?

Secretariat won the 1973 Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths.

The victory on June 9, 1973, completed Secretariat’s American Triple Crown and remains one of the most dominant performances in major Thoroughbred racing. Secretariat led almost immediately and continued widening the gap throughout the 1½-mile race at Belmont Park. His winning time of 2 minutes 24 seconds set a world record for the distance on dirt that still stands.

The official margin was 31 lengths over runner-up Twice a Prince. Secretariat’s jockey was Ron Turcotte, and Lucien Laurin trained the colt. Secretariat’s final quarter-mile was exceptionally fast, helping turn a strong win into a historic rout.

The result is sometimes confused with Secretariat’s Kentucky Derby margin, which was 2½ lengths, or his Preakness Stakes margin, which was 2½ lengths after a controversial early timing report. The Belmont performance is the one associated with the famous 31-length margin.