Local writer has a knack for horseracing stories

Bill Nack got his dream job in 1971 and hasn’t stopped running since. An environmental writer for Newsday, Nack was a lover of horses and an avid horseracing fan. At a party, Nack so impressed the editor with his horseracing knowledge, he offered him the job of horseracing editor. Nack has covered all the great racehorses and their achievements since then. Without a doubt, Secretariat is his favorite.

His book, “Secretariat: the Making of a Champion,” was the basis for the recent movie, “ Secretariat” and he served as a consultant on the film. A winter resident of the Key, Nack was guest speaker at the March 16 meeting of the Episcopal Church Women of All Angels By the Sea Episcopal Church.

Nack recalled meeting Secretariat for the first time in 1972 when the colt was a 2-year-old and just learning how to race. “He was magnificent,” says Nack, who describes him in his book as a “chivalrous prince of a colt who was playful and mischievous.” Nack went on to watch Secretariat set a Kentucky Derby record in 1973 of 1:59 2/5, a record that still stands. Two weeks later, Secretariat won the Preakness. Three weeks later, Secretariat won the Belmont with a 31-length lead to secure the Triple Crown. Only 11 horses since 1919 have won this honor. The last was Affirmed in 1978.

Nack found acting as a film consultant to be interesting. He even had a small role in the film, when he appeared at a press conference.

In 1978 Nack joined Sports Illustrated, and his career included profiles on boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, Sonny Liston and Jack Dempsey.

In 1993, his story, “The Breaking Point,” exposed a cortisone scandal in horseracing. Cortisone was being used to mask the fatigue of injured horses unfit for racing, which resulted in more track injuries.

In 2007, Nack published another book, “Ruffian” A Racetrack Romance.” It is the story of a talented filly that broke down in a match race and was put down.

Currently, Nack is affiliated with ESPN and writes profiles on major sporting figures and baseball.