I have always loved Secretariat. I was 11 years old boy living in Queens, NY when he had his amazing 3 year old run, and I can remeber Belmont Stakes 1973 like it was yesterday. That was the day I fell in love with the sport of horse racing. Every time I see a replay of that race (it is easy to find on YouTube) I get choked up. Few things in life are perfect. That race is a glimpse at perfection.

I don't remeber the year the Palms Secretariat chips came out, I want to say it was around 2003? I was an avid 7-stud limit and tournament player and I was trying to make the switch to Hold 'Em. My joke to all my stud player friends was I always felt like Hold 'Em was a horse race. It seemed like every pot I was in had a huge field. I was on eBay looking for Secretariat memorabilia when I came across the chips. I wanted one for a card capper immediately. Hey, if I am in the horse race, who better to be on than Big Red, right?!!! I still use that Palms $2.50 chip as my capper today. It is the first casino chip I ever purchased with the intention of keeping it. This was how I was introduced to chipping. Don't ask about my collection today, lol, if I owned up to what I have purchased, and my wife found out, I'd be in MAJOR trouble!

So this piece will forever hold a very special place in my collection. The photo, one of the greatest in sports history, is signed by Ron Turcotte, as is one of the $2.50 chips. Two other chips are autographed by Penny Tweedy, the owner of Secretariat.

I have sent several items to Tiny Treasures for mounting/framing etc.. Most times I just send the stuff to Chris and ask him for ideas. I am always very pleased with what he comes up with! Thanks to Chris again, well done.

Now I have to find the perfect place to hang it!