Pure Heart by William Nack: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1005832/index.htm

I decided to write about William Nack's article on Secretariat titled, Pure Heart. Nack's article highlights the quest to win the Triple Crown of horse racing and the impressive resume of the great horse, Secretariat. Through his personal examples and stories, Nack beautifully portrays the life and greatness of arguably the best race horse ever. Throughout the article Nack seems to put his heart into depicting the story of Secretariat truly proving Nack’s pure love for the horse.

Pure Heart was a special piece because of Nack's obsession with and devotion to the career of Secretariat. Nack says in the article that he always had a love for horse racing. Nack's love for horse racing was shown throughout the article with his commitment to following what he thought; he turned out to be right, record breaking career of his favorite horse. Secretariat was a little known two year old colt that had unimaginable potential when Nack first saw him. After Nack saw him run for the first time he became instantly fascinated with the impressive animal. From that point on Nack would follow Secretariat around and record what he observed and found interesting.  Nack would wake up early and immediately go to Secretariats stall to observe the multiple aspects of the horse. Every move Secretariat made seemingly interested Nack. Nack's love of the horse led him to have a special connection with the horse. Aside from a man named Sweat, who spent nearly the whole day taking care of the horse, no one knew the horse better than Nack. Nack truly treasured every characteristic of Secretariat.

One of Nack's stories particularly interested me. Nack, one certain day, was in Secretariats stall and was writing on his notebook. Secretariat proceeded to grab the notebook from Nack's hand. Secretariat kept the notebook in his mouth and then dropped in on a bed of straw only after Sweat urged him to drop the book. I found it amazing that a horse could have the mental capability to realize that Nack, who he saw almost every day, was using that notebook to write notes down about him. Secretariat purposely took the book from Nack’s grasps and playfully kept it away from him. Secretariat's actions sparked laughter and intrigue throughout the stall and further added to his legend. Nack's story proves that Secretariat was a special horse not only because he won the Triple Crown and set multiple records but also because he had a personality and mind of his own.

I gathered many things from Nack's article. Before I even read the article I already knew about the legend of Secretariat and his remarkable resume: the Triple Crown and numerous records. Reading the first page, I thought to myself that the article would be a nice tribute to the greatness of the horse. I was completely mistaken. Yes, Nack highlighted the success Secretariat had but he also gave the back stories such as the training and personality of the horse. Nack made his story special because he gave credibility to himself by discussing true stories he came upon through his dedication of studying the horse. I truly admire the passion Nack had for following what he loved. In reading Pure Heart it is obvious that Nack wanted to convey his love for Secretariat and I believe he successfully did that. The way Nack described the unfortunate death of the horse was masterful and made it apparent Secretariat would always have a special place in Nack’s heart.  I believe William Nack's article Pure Heart was a genuine and heartfelt interpretation of the great horse Secretariat.