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Lincoln Chafee raises Stakes in defense of Trump's latest target: Secretariat Lincoln Chafee raises Stakes in defense of Trump's latest target: Secretariat
(about 3 hours later)
On Friday night, Donald Trump added a new name to his litany of campaign-trail villains, which includes China, Mexico and the Obama administration.On Friday night, Donald Trump added a new name to his litany of campaign-trail villains, which includes China, Mexico and the Obama administration.
Related: Here's why Donald Trump won't win the Republican presidential nominationRelated: Here's why Donald Trump won't win the Republican presidential nomination
At a huge rally in Alabama, the businessman who leads the Republican polls went after the legendary racehorse Secretariat, saying the 1973 Triple Crown winner “wasn’t one of the best”. At a huge rally in Alabama, the Republican frontrunner went after the legendary racehorse Secretariat, saying the 1973 Triple Crown winner “wasn’t one of the best”.
On Saturday one of Trump’s Democratic rivals for the White House, the former Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee, fired back.On Saturday one of Trump’s Democratic rivals for the White House, the former Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee, fired back.
In a statement to the Guardian, Chafee said: “This statement is another splash of nonsense that comes out of Trump’s mouth. Every true horseman recognizes Secretariat as one of the best racehorses ever.”In a statement to the Guardian, Chafee said: “This statement is another splash of nonsense that comes out of Trump’s mouth. Every true horseman recognizes Secretariat as one of the best racehorses ever.”
Secretariat’s record-breaking performance at the 1973 Belmont Stakes is considered one of the greatest feats by man or beast in US sports.Secretariat’s record-breaking performance at the 1973 Belmont Stakes is considered one of the greatest feats by man or beast in US sports.
Chafee, a former Rhode Island governor, is perhaps the most knowledgeable presidential candidate from either party on the subject of horse racing. He spent seven years as a farrier on harness tracks across the country. Chafee is perhaps the most knowledgeable presidential candidate from either party on the subject of horse racing. He spent seven years as a farrier on harness tracks across the country.
In his statement to the Guardian, Chafee did say he could see one area of the great racehorse’s record in which his Republican rival might have had a point. Chafee did say he could see one area of the great racehorse’s record in which his Republican rival might have had a point.
Chafee said: “The only thing Trump could be referencing here is Secretariat’s record as a sire, where he didn’t leave a great legacy.” He added: “The only thing Trump could be referencing here is Secretariat’s record as a sire, where he didn’t leave a great legacy.”
Trump referenced that record in his remark about Secretariat, which came shortly after he said “like they used to say, Secretariat doesn’t produce slow horses”. Trump was touting his family’s intelligence – his uncle was a professor at MIT, and the billionaire “believes in the gene thing”.Trump referenced that record in his remark about Secretariat, which came shortly after he said “like they used to say, Secretariat doesn’t produce slow horses”. Trump was touting his family’s intelligence – his uncle was a professor at MIT, and the billionaire “believes in the gene thing”.
Chafee’s statement was his most direct attack on Trump yet. However, it is unclear whether it will produce any political benefit. In a five-strong Democratic field led by former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and the surging Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, Chafee is polling at 0%.Chafee’s statement was his most direct attack on Trump yet. However, it is unclear whether it will produce any political benefit. In a five-strong Democratic field led by former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and the surging Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, Chafee is polling at 0%.
That lack of support was recently parodied by the late-night talkshow host Conan O’Brien.That lack of support was recently parodied by the late-night talkshow host Conan O’Brien.