Murray Fish Posted May 13 Share Posted May 13 Jason Kelce apologizes after suggesting Triple Crown winner Secretariat used performance-enhancing drug The former Eagles center took some heat from horse racing fans this week Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce found himself in deep trouble with the horse-racing community this week. Kelce suggested that Triple Crown winner Secretariat was on steroids when the horse went on its historic run in 1973. Kelce's comments even drew a response from the family that owned Secretariat. During a recent episode of the "New Heights" podcast, Jason and Travis Kelce were discussing the latter's experience at the Kentucky Derby. When the topic of Secretariat came up, Jason said the horse was doing some major doping when it shot to the top of the record books. "It's not that wild because Secretariat was juiced to the gills," Kelce said. "What are we talking about here? Secretariat just so happens to be right in the heart of the steroid era? In 1973, every NFL player, every baseball player, they were juicing to the gills? You don't think Secretariat was f--king juiced to the rafters? Of course it's the fastest horse of all time. They didn't drug test Secretariat the way they did Mystik Dan." Shortly after that episode was released, Kelce found himself in some social media battles with some of Secretariat's biggest supporters. While admitting it is "impossible" to know whether Secretariat really was on steroids, Kelce pointed to the horse's enlarged heart as further evidence for his argument. All of that discussion reached the family of Secretariat owner, the late Penny Chenery. John and Kate Tweedy, the son and daughter of Chenery, wrote that their parents raised and trained Secretariat with the utmost integrity. "The fact is Secretariat was never given performance enhancing drugs," Kate and John Tweedy wrote. "Indeed, both our mother Penny Chenery, who managed Secretariat, and our grandfather Christopher Chenery, who bred him, were morally committed to the rule that horses should only be given healthy feed, water and such medical treatment as is required to maintain health." After plenty of back-and-forth, the former NFL star issued an apology on social media, saying it was unfair to accuse Secretariat of cheating without hard evidence. Kelce might have finally made some peace with the horse-racing community, but he should probably keep his distance next weekend when the Preakness Stakes run in Baltimore. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jason-kelce-apologizes-after-suggesting-triple-crown-winner-secretariat-used-performance-enhancing-drugs/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted May 13 Author Share Posted May 13 Jason Kelce @JasonKelce I’m sorry everyone, wasn’t trying to get people riled up, I really thought it was just known that in the 70s steroid use was rampant. I’m not trying to take away from Secretariat’s, or anyone from that eras legacy. You’re right, without proof it is unfair to assume these things publicly, I apologize. 4:22 AM · May 10, 2024 · 2.8M Views Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted May 14 Share Posted May 14 It's a bollocks story based on an assumption that is dubious. The majority, if not all, of the top athletes and horses have "enlarged" hearts. The term "enlarged" is a poor medical term based on the fact that the hearts are larger than average so it is assumed that this is an adverse medical condition caused by disease (or drugs) rather than an adaptation to intensive training. The old saying "...has a heart as large as Phar Lap's" derives from the fact that Phar Lap had an unusually large heart weighing 6.5 kg. We all know how good he was. The average thoroughbred horse heart weighs 4kg. I would say Secretariat was born with a larger than average heart and training developed it even more. He was described as having the perfect conformation for a horse. Steriods couldn't have done all that. His heart weight at 10kg was only ever an estimate. It's not clear it was ever weighed. Secretariat grew into a massive, powerful horse said to resemble his sire's damsire, Discovery. He stood 16.2 hands (66 inches, 168 cm) when fully grown.[21] He was noted for being exceptionally well-balanced, described as having "nearly perfect" conformation and stride biomechanics.[22] His chest was so large that he required a custom-made girth, and he was noted for his large, powerful, well-muscled hindquarters. An Australian trainer said of him, "He is incredible, an absolutely perfect horse. I never saw anything like him."[23] Secretariat's absence of major conformation flaws was important, as horses with well made limbs and feet are less likely to become injured.[24] Secretariat's hindquarters were the main source of his power, with a sloped croup that extended the length of his femur.[25] When in full stride, his hind legs were able to reach far under himself, increasing his drive.[26] His ample girth, long back and well-made neck all contributed to his heart-lung efficiency.[25][26] The manner in which Secretariat's body parts fit together determined the efficiency of his stride, which affected his acceleration and endurance. Even very small differences in the length and angles of bones can have a major effect on performance.[27] Secretariat was well put together even as a two-year-old, and by the time he was three, he had further matured in body and smoothed out his gait. The New York Racing Association's Dr. M. A. Gilman, a veterinarian who routinely measured leading thoroughbreds with a goal of applying science to create better ways to breed and evaluate racehorses, measured Secretariat's development from two to three as follows:[23][28] 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted May 14 Share Posted May 14 After Secretariat's death in 1989, University of Kentucky professor of veterinary science Dr. Thomas Swerczek performed the necropsy. Secretariat's heart was estimated to be about 22 pounds and was not "pathologically enlarged," Swerczek said. The average horse's heart weighs about 8.5 pounds. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted May 14 Share Posted May 14 56 minutes ago, curious said: After Secretariat's death in 1989, University of Kentucky professor of veterinary science Dr. Thomas Swerczek performed the necropsy. Secretariat's heart was estimated to be about 22 pounds and was not "pathologically enlarged," Swerczek said. The average horse's heart weighs about 8.5 pounds. Plus his conformation, size and injury free racing life doesn't equate to steroid abuse. Steroid abuse can weaken bone structures not increase bone mass, density or strength. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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