Secretariat’s next to last career race was the Oct. 8, 1973 Man o’ War Stakes at Belmont Park. The Meadow Stable superstar led every step of the way and won drawing away by five lengths over esteemed turf champion Tentam in the time of 2:24 4/5 for the mile and a half distance, establishing a new track record in the process. The prestigious stakes race also marked Secretariat’s final victory with jockey Ron Turcotte aboard. The Hall of Fame rider, who was not prone to hyperbole, surprised fans and the racing press alike, stating “Some people may not believe me, but I always thought he was an even better horse on grass than dirt.” The spectacular victory erased any lingering doubt regarding Secretariat’s affinity for the grass. This shoe was obtained following that historic race, and such was its significance that it was one of the few racing plates that Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery kept in her own personal collection of artifacts, before gifting it to her very close friend and former Blood-Horse editor Charlie Stone. Adding further significance and provenance to the shoe is an accompanying personal note hand-written and dated August 20, 1990 by Ms. Chenery on her distinctive Meadow Stable stationery that documents the shoe and states: “Charlie – Secretariat wore this shoe winning the Man O’ War Stakes at Belmont Park and I just wanted you to have it. Penny.” While the shoe displays no distinct casting marks, it is distinctive from other authenticated race-worn Secretariat shoe in that it bears the typical features of an aluminum racing plate specialized for turf surfaces, as well as the inherent marks and scuffs attained while race-worn. The shoe also contains remnants of organic artifacts and other matter within its exterior nail channel. The shoe along with the handwritten note is mounted on black linen matting in a simple cherry wood frame display measuring 9.5x13". It has been officially catalogued in the Secretariat Archives Registry and remains one of only the very few authenticated Secretariat-worn racing plates in existence.