From Football Star Joe Namath to Baseball Hero Hank Bauer, New York Bureau Chief Marsh Clark has covered some of the most famous personalities in sports for TIME cover stories. His subject for this week, however, was his biggest assignment yet--by some 1,000 Ibs. Syndicated for more than $6,000,000. Secretariat is the most valuable horse in history, a good bet to win racing's Triple Crown this month, and the first of his species to appear on a TIME cover since Native Dancer back in 1954.

For the story behind the reigning monarch in the sport of kings. Correspondent Clark and Ernest Havemann, who wrote the story, visited Belmont Park Race Track, near New York City, and interviewed Lucien Laurin. Secretariat's trainer; Jockey Ron Turcotte; and Secretariat's principal owne. Mrs. Penny Tweedy. "At one point we approached, with unaccustomed stealth and reverence, the stall where our cover subject was residing," Clark recalls. "We peeked in and saw that Secretariat was eating lunch, so we withdrew discreetly, much as if we had come upon Henry Kissinger over his sweetbreads at Rive Gauche."

Clark also flew down to The Meadow, the southern Virginia farm where the champion was foaled three years ago and where he took his first tentative steps.

Reporting the story provided many new insights to Clark, whose previous exposure to horse racing consisted of infrequent visits ("about once every four years") to the race track. But Writer Havemann was right at home. A former TIME editor who began writing college textbooks nine years ago. Havemann is the son of a onetime jockey. He placed his first bet at the age of twelve, bought his first race horse in 1957--that is, as soon as he was financially able--now he owns a stable of six. He once competed against Mrs. Tweedy, but his best horse lost by a head to Cicada, the famous mare of The Meadow.

"Working with a horse expert like Havemann was an eyeopener," says Clark, "but it could have been even more rewarding than it was. Ernie and I took Mrs. Tweedy to lunch at Belmont's Paddock Club. But before settling down to eat and interview, Ernie dashed off to put down a couple of bets on the afternoon card. Instead of going with him, I foolishly engaged in small talk while waiting for him to return. Of course he hit the daily double and won $240."

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