In 1973 , Secretariat won horse racing 's Triple Crown and set records that still stand today at the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes . Now , 39 years later , the legend has been recognized as having also set a still-standing record at the Preakness Stakes . The Maryland Racing Commission unanimously agreed Tuesday that evidence shows Secretariat 's Preakness time was faster than originally recorded , said the commission 's executive director , Mike Hopkins . Penny Chenery , who owned Secretariat , and Thomas Chuckas , the president of the Maryland Jockey Club , made the request for the commission to review the evidence . The hearing lasted three hours and involved watching digital tapes and video overlays as well as listening to expert testimonies , Hopkins said . The controversy over Secretariat 's time goes back to the 1973 race day . Secretariat 's 1973 Preakness time reviewed . The electronic timer at the Preakness recorded a winning time of 1:55 ( one minute , 55 seconds ) . However , two independent clockers from the Daily Racing Form individually timed the race at 1:53 2/5 . Officials at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore , where the race is held , admitted that there were `` extenuating circumstances '' with the electronic timer 's recording and changed Secretariat 's official time to 1:54 2/5 . If Secretariat had indeed run the 1 3/16-mile ( 9.5-furlong ) race in 1:53 2/5 , as the Daily Racing Form timed it , it would have meant a record at the time , and one that has been matched but not beaten since . But the commission changed the official time to 1:53 flat , meaning the then-3-year-old set an unmatched best in the race , the second leg of the Triple Crown . `` For me , revisiting this dispute on a new day is matter of resolution -- for historians , for sportswriters and for racing fans , '' Chenery said . `` Their voices are supported by sound evidence , and they deserve to be heard . '' Modern video technology can be used to settle the controversy , Chuckas said . `` During the last 40 years , video technology has been accepted in other professional sports as a supportive mechanism for officials to ensure fairness and accuracy in their decisions , '' he said . `` It is important for horse racing and the record books to confirm the correct time in this historical race . It is the appropriate thing to do . '' Animal welfare activists : Horse racing industry needs reform . Previously on CNN.com : Union Rags rallies to win 144th running of Belmont Stakes .
Officials rule that 1973 winner is the record - holder . The official time of 1:54 2/5 was disputed by independent timers . A video evidence commission revises it to be flat . Triple Crown winner now holds the official record time in all three races .