Post by Secretariat on Feb 7, 2011 14:39:26 GMT -5
~~~Welcome to Dreaming of Utopia!~~~
~~~The Basics~~~
Character Image
Character Name
Secretariat
Character's Origin
Sidekick?
~~~About My Character~~~
What is your character's history? Are they a hero, or a villain, a sidekick or guardian? What has happened to them in their lives to make them the way they are today?
Secretariat was the third foal to be produced by Bold Ruler, one of the top sires in his generation and Somethingroyal who had only raced once but her breeding was top quality. He was foaled at Meadow Farm in Caroline County, Virginia. Like the equally famous horse Man o' War, Secretariat was a large chestnut colt and was given the same nickname, "Big Red." Penny usually just calls him Red because it is much easier than saying Secretariat all the time. Secretariat, as a foal, was always large and clumsy. He always ate more than he was supposed to and was very lazy. People had their doubts about him but he would later show them.
Owned by Penny Chenery (aka Penny Tweedy), he was trained by Lucien Laurin and mainly ridden by jockey Ron Turcotte. Turcotte was always there for Red and he was always pick Red over any other horse. Though in Secretariat's last race, before retirement, Turcotte could not ride Red because he was suspended. He raced in Penny Chenery's Meadow Stable's blue and white checkered colors and his groom was Eddie Sweat. Secretariat stood approximately 16.3 hands tall, and was mostly bigger than most horses, even his size. They later found out that Secretariat's heart was three times it's size, which allowed him to run how he did.
The story of Secretariat began with the toss of a coin between Christopher Chenery of Meadow Stables and Ogden Phipps of Wheatley Stable. The idea of a coin toss came from Phipps, the owner of Bold Ruler, and Bull Hancock of Claiborne Farms as a way to get the very best mares for Bold Ruler. Bold Ruler had a fine balance between both speed and stamina, which was said to produce finely balanced horses. Phipps won the coin toss and choce the filly other than the unborn foal and the colt.
Secretariat was born on March 30th and wasn't named until he started to train in his early years. Penny's Secretary has submitted about 10 names into the racing congress and each one of them were declined, then the eleventh name she selected was Secretariat from a former job she had. As Secretariat trained people had heir doubts about him, saying how he was always too big and too lazy to be able to run the staggering 45 miles an hour. Secretariat was big but he had so much muscle it seemed to equal him out. As a fast learner, Secretariat started racing when he first turned two where as other horses race when they're about to turn three. Secretariat won horse of the year at age two, something that doesn't happen all too often. The next year, as a three year old, he won Horse of the year again and you'll see why.
Standing in the gates for the running of the Kentucky Derby, Secretariat was tense, leaning against the back of the gate, getting ready for the running of his life, only he didn't know it. Ron pulled down his goggles and got into position, clutching the strands of red hair through his fingers as he watched the track ahead of him. With the sound of the bell and the gates flying open, Secretariat pushed off the ground and started to gallop with the other horses. Though the colt was starting slow. That didn't bother Turcotte so much so he just let the colt do his own thing for a while and let him sit chilly in the back of the field as they went down part of the home stretch and then around the first turn and down the backstretch. Turcotte let the colt urge on just a little so he didn't use up all his energy. Kissing to him lightly he asked for Secretariat to keep pace with Forego in front of him and Secretariat did as he was told.
Ears pinned back against his red head he ran on, slowly starting to creep his way up to the front as they started running around the third turn. About half way around Ron asked the colt to start moving quicker and Secretariat did so. In the blink of an eyes he was in forurth... Third, moving up to the front of the pack, still not giving it his all. He sat close to second with Sham and Checky Green, though Green began to fade as the home stretch came straight in front of the horses. With one swift movement Secretariat and Sham were head to head, pulling away fast from the rest of the field as they came closer to the finish line. A couple more yards to go and Sham began to fade back as Secretariat pushed forward. Sham tried to keep pace but fell back behind Red about two lengths and seemed to maintain that same position. With a flick of his ears and a switch of his lead Secretariat crossed over the wire and Ron began to pull back, hearing the crowd cheer he glanced at the screen to see the time of 1:59, breaking the track record... And a record that still stands to this day.
Ears pinned back against his red head he ran on, slowly starting to creep his way up to the front as they started running around the third turn. About half way around Ron asked the colt to start moving quicker and Secretariat did so. In the blink of an eyes he was in forurth... Third, moving up to the front of the pack, still not giving it his all. He sat close to second with Sham and Checky Green, though Green began to fade as the home stretch came straight in front of the horses. With one swift movement Secretariat and Sham were head to head, pulling away fast from the rest of the field as they came closer to the finish line. A couple more yards to go and Sham began to fade back as Secretariat pushed forward. Sham tried to keep pace but fell back behind Red about two lengths and seemed to maintain that same position. With a flick of his ears and a switch of his lead Secretariat crossed over the wire and Ron began to pull back, hearing the crowd cheer he glanced at the screen to see the time of 1:59, breaking the track record... And a record that still stands to this day.
Secretariat rested and trained for the Preakness. He was still as energetic as ever and they knew that he would do well. He would relax for a few days and then have a hard workout just to make sure he was still running fine and still showing the same amount of power. The weeks passed to the Preakness and all eyes were on Big Red as he strode down the track, waiting for his next win, the Preakness.
Secretariat once again started slow, though it didn't take him much time to find his stride and his pace. The blue and white checkered blinkers on the chestnut face were easy to see through the darker colors in the crowd. Down the backstretch Secretariat started to move like a speeding bullet and in just a few seconds he was already next to the leader, starting to pull away as they got closer toward the third turn. Ron made sure Secretariat wasn't getting tired and so he started to hold the colt back a little, making him maintain his speed and pace.
Moving to first and as he kept moving up Sham started to match his pace from behind. Though as the home stretch unwound Secretariat powered forward when Ron move his hands up the colt's neck. The chestnut colt lengthened his strides even more, able to stay in front of Sham and toward the finish he was able to open up a bit more and then sweep under the wire.
Moving to first and as he kept moving up Sham started to match his pace from behind. Though as the home stretch unwound Secretariat powered forward when Ron move his hands up the colt's neck. The chestnut colt lengthened his strides even more, able to stay in front of Sham and toward the finish he was able to open up a bit more and then sweep under the wire.
Now everyone was following Secretariat. He was on the news and was always being filmed even when he was just sleeping in his stall. Horse racing had gotten big and people who never watched horse racing were learning about the big red colt who was about to move on and try to win the Belmont. People started to follow the colt and watch every story they could. He was addicting and no one could stop asking the question: Will he win the Triple Crown? They trained Secretariat harder and harder and much more each day. People said they were going to tire the colt out but they made sure to run him long enough to where he wouldn't be tired out. Little did they know that this colt was going to be much more energized than they could even imagine.
The last and final race in the Triple Crown and Secretariat had already dominated the other two. He was energetic, a little too energetic and they thought that he would get spooked and use up all his energy. Secretariat didn't know how important this race was and he just wanted to run.. Just wanted to stretch his legs out there and just... Run. Run his heart out, run until he couldn't run anymore. As they loaded the colt into the gate, saying his name everyone cheered when they heard the words Secretariat echo over the speakers. Secretariat went in easy at the gate, pricking his ears and knowing that he could just run now.
The gates opened and Secretariat started slow as usual, but much quicker than the Derby and the Preakness. About half way down the home stretch he started to gain speed, his feet turning into a blur and moving so quickly that no one could follow them. Ron felt so much power and energy in the colt that he just let him go, letting him do his own thing... Of course Secretariat knew best, he had known best in the other two races. Pushing off with his hind legs he gained more and more speed, breaking off with Sham as the two pulled away down the first turn. Down the backstretch it was just the two of them, all alone. It was more of a match race now than anything. Secretariat and Sham kept the same pace, letting Secretariat keep running... Yet he was running the same speed. Going down the backstretch the two opened up ten lengths down the backstretch.
Moving closer toward the third turn Secretariat seemed to switch into another gear as he started to pull away from Sham who was now fading back in with the field. Secretariat held a large and steady stride as he ran around the third turn, leading by many lengths and still opening up. "He's moving like a tremendous machine! Secretariat by twelve... Secretariat by thirteen... Secretariat by fifteen lengths and still opening up!" The announcer exclaimed as shocked as everyone else was. Around the third turn at the head of the stretch Secretariat still kept the same pace, not slowing nor gaining speed. The crowd cheered so loudly that it overpowered the sounds of the hooves beating down on the track. Coming down the stretch Secretariat kept moving faster and faster. "... And Secretariat is all alone!! Secretariat is 1/16 of a mile ahead of the other horses! He's in a position that no one can every match again! Secretariat by eighteen lengths... Secretariat has opened to twenty-two lengths! Secretariat by twenty-five lengths as he runs down the stretch! Secretariat by twenty-eight lengths! Secretariat by thirty!! Secretariat by thirty-one lengths as he comes over the wire... He is our Triple Crown winner!!" The announcer exclaimed as loud as he could to try and overpower the screaming voices. Ron looked back right before the finish line to see how far back the crowd was...
The gates opened and Secretariat started slow as usual, but much quicker than the Derby and the Preakness. About half way down the home stretch he started to gain speed, his feet turning into a blur and moving so quickly that no one could follow them. Ron felt so much power and energy in the colt that he just let him go, letting him do his own thing... Of course Secretariat knew best, he had known best in the other two races. Pushing off with his hind legs he gained more and more speed, breaking off with Sham as the two pulled away down the first turn. Down the backstretch it was just the two of them, all alone. It was more of a match race now than anything. Secretariat and Sham kept the same pace, letting Secretariat keep running... Yet he was running the same speed. Going down the backstretch the two opened up ten lengths down the backstretch.
Moving closer toward the third turn Secretariat seemed to switch into another gear as he started to pull away from Sham who was now fading back in with the field. Secretariat held a large and steady stride as he ran around the third turn, leading by many lengths and still opening up. "He's moving like a tremendous machine! Secretariat by twelve... Secretariat by thirteen... Secretariat by fifteen lengths and still opening up!" The announcer exclaimed as shocked as everyone else was. Around the third turn at the head of the stretch Secretariat still kept the same pace, not slowing nor gaining speed. The crowd cheered so loudly that it overpowered the sounds of the hooves beating down on the track. Coming down the stretch Secretariat kept moving faster and faster. "... And Secretariat is all alone!! Secretariat is 1/16 of a mile ahead of the other horses! He's in a position that no one can every match again! Secretariat by eighteen lengths... Secretariat has opened to twenty-two lengths! Secretariat by twenty-five lengths as he runs down the stretch! Secretariat by twenty-eight lengths! Secretariat by thirty!! Secretariat by thirty-one lengths as he comes over the wire... He is our Triple Crown winner!!" The announcer exclaimed as loud as he could to try and overpower the screaming voices. Ron looked back right before the finish line to see how far back the crowd was...
That photo will be the most famous photo in racing history, to this day is it still a priceless photo. Ron later told reporters that Secretariat was just running at the same speed... He never went faster. Secretariat became the ninth Triple Crown winner in history, and the first in 25 years.
Secretariat then continued to prove himself as one of the top Thoroughbreds of all time. He started to race around the world, winning almost every race and losing two by his stable partner. Secretariat was later retired and put to stud. Secretariat sired over 600 foals and most of them were winners, though none showed the qualities he had. Later on in his life, Secretariat was put down after suffering from a very painful, incurable, hoof disease that spread through all four of his hooves.
Describe your character's personality. What are their strengths and weaknesses, what are their passions? What qualities do they have that are good or bad?
Secretariat... Where to begin? This colt is just wonderful. He is a very nice colt but he will tell you when he doesn't like something. He gets spooked slightly easy and is really lazy but very energetic. As a colt Secretariat would always lay in the pasture rather to sleep than run around his mother. Though as he grew with his age his body only became rounder and bigger. He still ate three times as much and would still sleep in the pasture. Though on the track he was a different story, it was like someone put some batteries in the colt because he would just spark up with energy and life. Where as around the barn he was calm and quiet. Of ciurse some days the colt was a little too energetic or a little too angry at his exercise rider where he dumped the guy onto the track a good nuber of times every so morning. Secretariat all together is very hard to fogure out, possibly. He calm and collected but the next second he could get spooked by even the slightest of things. This stallion will easily take control and won't be afraid to show you who's boss, however he sometimes hesitates toward different things. He is just a beauty to look at and he knows that he's special. He's caring, loving, and knows who his friends are.
~~~Sample~~~
Give us a small sample of how you will play your character. Give us at least three paragraphs.
The stretch laid ahead from inside the gate. His chestnut ears pricked at every noise made. His stable partner, Hound Dog, was in the gate next to him getting ready for the workout against the beast. Secretariat couldn't see the colt next to him, due to his famous blue and white checkered blinkers. Secretariat had already won the Triple Crown and was already promoted as the greatest racehorse to ever live. No one could match his speed and power but even though he lost all great racers lost.
His brown eyes watched the track before him. Ears pricked once more as he nibbled on the steel cold bar above his tongue and in the back of his mouth. The gates flew open and the bell rang. Secretariat broke from the gate perfectly, Lucien then started the clock and watched Secretariat battle with Hound Dog for the lead. Ron Turcotte looked forward and watched the track from behind his goggles. Glancing over at the other jockey, Ron could have sworn he saw the jockey shutter as Secretariat started to pick up the pace.
The colt's muscles were bold as he fan and stuck out like a sore thumb his three white feet were a blur as he ran giving a small snort he began to gain on the colt in front of him as they bolted down the back stretch.
The other jockey looked back and shuttered once more as Secretariat came closer. His hoof beats echoed through the track and through Hound Dog and his jockey's ears. Secretariat's breathing was heavy much like it always was. With a confused look Ron realized that the jockey was shuttering from how powerful Secretariat was both mentally and physically.
Most people would stand up in their stirrups as they heard the pounding of the hooves and the hard breathing of the colt. Ron was used to it and he loved the sound of that... The power of the colt as he sat atop him. Around the third turn Ron moved his hands up the colt's neck, grabbing his mane and clucking and kissing to the colt to move forward. Secretariat gladly took the reins and with a swift movement he was already flying last Hound Dog. The other horse didn't know what hit him. Secretariat kept powering forward. His long strides quickly carried him down the stretch. Secretariat went over the wire beating his partner by about seven lengths. With a smile Ron gave the colt a pat on his muscular neck. Nodding toward Lucien and Penny with a smile he pulled back, using all of his strength to pull the colt to a canter then a trot and finally a walk. With a snort Secretariat trotted along the rail toward his owner and trainer. People watched the colt and watched his muscular body as he prances past them.
~~~Bonding~~~
Why this character? What draws you to them, what makes you want to play them? Do you have anything in common with them?
I love horse racing and Secretariat was one of my favorites of course! Just look at his handsome he is!! <33
What would you like your custom title to be? This can be anything you like in reference to your character and will appear under your name.
The super horse
Who else do you play here?
Peter Pan