31 Lengths
The morning sun stretched long shadows over Belmont Park as Secretariat shifted in his stall, muscles rippling beneath his gleaming chestnut coat. Stable hands moved quietly, sensing the electricity in the air. He had already stunned the world at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, but today—June 9, 1973—was different.
The Belmont Stakes, a grueling mile and a half, loomed ahead. Could he claim the Triple Crown, a feat untouched for 25 years? Trainer Lucien Laurin murmured final words to jockey Ron Turcotte, but Secretariat seemed to need no instruction. His dark eyes burned with an almost knowing fire.
As the gate flew open, he surged forward—not in a frantic sprint, but with the measured power of a locomotive. He settled behind Sham, waiting. Then, on the backstretch, he unleashed his brilliance. His stride lengthened, and he pulled away—five lengths, ten, twenty. The crowd roared as he widened the gap, an unstoppable force against the green.
By the homestretch, he was a red blur, 31 lengths ahead—untouchable. He crossed the wire in 2:24 flat, a world record that still stands. Secretariat hadn’t just won; he had redefined greatness.
That legendary run inspires the 31 Lengths cigar—a bold tribute to a champion. Its robust filler of Criollo, Pennsylvania Ligero, and Piloto Cubano mirrors Secretariat’s strength, blending spice, pepper, and subtle sweetness. A smooth Dominican Olor binder holds it together, much like Turcotte’s steady hand, while a dark, oily Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper evokes the raw power of that day.
Light it up, and 31 Lengths unfolds in layers—bold, triumphant, and unforgettable. A fitting homage to a horse who ran beyond the reach of time.