Bill Christine, former horse racing writer for The Times and now a columnist for Horseraceinsider.com, speculates on the circumstances. The 1 1/4-mile event, which featured computer-generated imagery, was held Saturday, the same day the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby had been scheduled. From Sept. 5 to Nov. 11 of that year, Seattle Slew ran five races, all at 1 1/8 miles or longer. Indy, who won the Belmont Stakes in 1992. He passed away in his sleep at the age of 28. [4], In 2015, the state of Kentucky starting issuing a license plate bearing Seattle Slew's image, based on a photograph by Tony Leonard. No, Seattle Slew and Secretariat did not race. After kicking off his career, he won his first nine races before finishing in fourth in the Hollywood Derby. By comparison, Secretariats longest streak was five. Seattle Slews sire, Bold Reasoning, was the grandson of Bold Ruler, who was the father of Secretariat. I said, I want you to feel his mechanics. He's just he's fast. "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter. The race lacked the cavalry charge to the first turn that is typical of the usual 20-horse Derby field. Seattle Slew, the 77 winner, took on Affirmed, the 78 winner. Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis or now, Usain Bolt? [35][36], Seattle Slew eventually returned to training and was shipped north to Aqueduct, which held "Seattle Slew day" on April 29. Seattle Slew was third. In 2006, Lava Man became the first horse to win the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic Stakes in the same year. As assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes held American Pharoah outside Bafferts Barn 33 at Churchill Downs, curious fans and others such as Seattle Slews jockey Jean Cruguet watched this tale of the tape unfold in front of them. Just five years later, Affirmed and Alydar would battle stride for stride, nostril for nostril for the length of the Belmont Park stretch in the 1978 Belmont. 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Taylor, Tayhill Stable/Jim Hill, et al. However, being a fighter, he overcame all of them. [19] Seattle Slew was the heavy favorite at odds of 1-2 but still faced a large field as many felt the colt would be vulnerable at the Derby's distance of 1+14 miles. "Turner was fined," said Sally Hill later. All four possessed outstanding biomechanics, according to Seamans system. The Jockey Club Gold Cup on Oct. 14, 1978, was like a great boxing showdown. Sired by Bold Reasoning out of the Poker mare My Charmer, Seattle Slew was a beautiful dark brown colt with a small white patch of hair by his left rear hoof. At the top of the stretch, Cruguet went to the whip and Seattle Slew pulled away by 4 lengths, then shut down in the final eighth of a mile to win by 1+34 lengths over Run Dusty Run. In total, he sired 1,103 named foals, including 537 winners and 111 stakes winners. Yes, Seattle Slew and Secretariat are related. Yes, Seattle Slew and Secretariat are related. They are also Seattle Slew and Affirmed won Triple Crowns after Secretariat, in 1977 and 78, and will always have their proponents in the best-ever debate. Giving the field a huge head start, and in spite of several jockeying errors, War still managed to finish second by a half-length to a horse named Upset . Secretariat broke well, but it was Seattle Slew who set the early pace. Web1978 Marlboro Cup -- Seattle Slew defeats Affirmed Wasted Century 395 subscribers Subscribe 435 Share Save 57K views 6 years ago September 16, 1978. In the immediate afterglow of American Pharoahs unprecedented Grand Slam sweep, trainer Bob Baffert said exceptional mechanics are what truly set the colt apart his singular ability to soar over the ground with tremendous, free-flowing strides. [59], Legend = Triple Crown winners, = Filly, Legend = Triple Crown Winners, = Filly. He suffered a ligament injury and a filled ankle, among other things. And, Seattle Slew had closed so strongly that his finish time of 1:45 4/5 , despite his slow start, was only two-fifths off Secretariats track record. What we do know is Secretariat became all that he was ever supposed to be on the June day at Belmont Park. Donate to COVID-19 relief at https://t.co/6W7xpgby5a. American Pharoah draws size and classic scope from his sire and sire line, being a grandson of Belmont Stakes winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up Empire Maker, who is by Kentucky Derby and Breeders Cup Classic winner Unbridled. The dark bay Thoroughbred stallion stood at 16 hands tall and weighed 1,120 pounds. A virtual Seattle Slew, who won the 1977 Triple Crown, led much of the way until being overtaken in the stretch. Seattle Slew went on to win the Triple Crown, the first horse to do so since Secretariat in 1973. Also, there was more intrigue -- and the perception of less stability -- in the Seattle Slew camp going into the race. He had already won the Hollywood Gold Cup, the Hollywood Turf Invitational, the San Juan Capistrano, the Sunset Handicap and the Oak Tree Invitational. Tobin, who won in a stakes record of 1:5825, just two-fifths off the world record for the distance at that time. In the Marlboro race, Cordero took Seattle Slew to the front and stayed there. In the BloodHorse magazine's listing of the top 100 American thoroughbreds of the twentieth century, he was ranked ninth. Also, read our fact guides about other famous racehorses such as Secretariat and Seabiscuit. The Triple Crown winner of 1973 (Secretariat) had already been retired for four years by the time Slew won the Triple Crown. The winnings from the race made Seattle Slew the 23rd horse in racing history to earn a million dollars. The book Seattle Slew, by Steve Cady and Barton Silverman, was released by Penguin Books in 1977. Also, read about the 13 Triple Crown winning horses. (At that time, 10 furlong races at Belmont were normally started in a chute, allowing the horses to run straight for about half the race. Just five years later, Affirmed and Alydar would battle stride for stride, nostril for nostril for the length of the Belmont Park stretch in the 1978 Belmont. "We've watched every one of his races this year and watched them carefully," he said. The 1 1/4-mile race featuring computer-generated imagery was held Saturday, the same day the 146th Derby had been scheduled until it was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic. After the race, Jean Cruguet, winner of 11 of 13 races on Seattle Slew, angered the owners by saying the horse wasnt up to the matchup with Affirmed. Secretariat won by so far, against such a small field of just five horses, that comparisons to other races is not germane. He was sports editor of the Milwaukee Journal from 1973 to 1981, when he joined The Times. "[4] "He was very easygoing," Turner said. Exceller, suddenly moving as if he had been tossed from a catapult, appeared in the picture and took off after Seattle Slew, slipping by on the inside in the homestretch. The Official Site of Thoroughbred Racings Greatest Champion, Seattle Slew. Seattle Slew, boxed in for much of the race with Text to his side, eventually broke free but tired badly in the stretch. Bold Reasoning, a grandson of Bold Ruler, was an outstanding racehorse. She went with yellow and black, as she felt those colors would be able to be easily spotted from the grandstand. He had winning streaks of 12 and 10 races in a row, the latter streak stopped only by retirement. Our readers support us. After each of 15 measurements, Seaman called out to his assistants the numbers that are essential to his system of analysis. It is the only case where three generations in a row won the Belmont Stakes. He was assigned the high weight of 134 pounds (61kg), conceding his rivals from 19 to 27 pounds. Secretariat's damsire. Then, if you haven't already done so, you can make your decision. Not only is American Pharoah the largest of the last four Triple Crown winners, he also belongs to the most elite segment of athletes included in Seamans database. John Sikura of Hill 'n' Dale commented, "To be near greatness is what everyone in this business aspires to, and it happens so rarely. He secured the win in the Run for the Roses, but appeared visibly upset afterward. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic pole vault gold medals, died at age 97 on Sunday. Incredibly, although scheduled to race Affirmed again in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont a month later, Seattle Slew ran, and won, the Woodward Stakes at Belmont on Sept. 30, 1978. In the Sanford Memorial, before starting gates were implemented, Man O' War was caught facing the wrong way when the barrier fell. It was like he hadn't even been in a race. For over 28 years, Slew's accomplishments on and off the track, went unmatched by any other. I said, Todd, watch this horse. He didn't want to take the shank, Baffert related, searching for words that would adequately describe the physical power contained within American Pharoah that, when unleashed, proved pure magic on the racetrack. J.O. "Slew is such a nice horse and I was able to relax him on the backstretch. The Triple Crown winner of 1973 (Secretariat) had already been retired for four years by the time Slew won the Triple Crown. Seattle Slew, who won the 1977 Triple Crown, led for much of the virtual race before being overtaken in the stretch. Each had 21 races and competed only as 2 and 3-year-olds. Watch it again! But anyway, Secretariat and Seattle Slew were indeed related, War was foaled on March 29, 1917; Secretariat on March 30, 1970. [33] It was later revealed that his jugular vein had collapsed when a pre-race injection of butazolidin missed the vein. A.P. The race was simulated using present and historical handicapping and statistics. Eased in the final sixteenth of a mile, he still set a seven-furlong track record of 1:2035 in winning by nine lengths. My Charmer went on to produce the 2000 Guineas winner Lomond and Seattle Dancer, and several of her daughters became outstanding producers. However, he still managed to have a successful rest of his racing career. A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? through their sires. 15 Best Racehorses of all Time. Horse owners since the early 1970s, Karen Taylor was a former flight attendant, and her husband, Mickey Taylor, was a lumberman. Out of Mahubah and sired by Fair Play , Man O' War was foaled before the introduction of European bloodlines. Those records span more than 850 champions, 2,000 G1 winners, 750 earners of at least $1 million, 50 Kentucky Derby victors and over 25 winners each of the Epsom Derby and Prix de lArc de Triomphe. Hes got a lot of consistency with his dam, granddam and Unbridled, Seaman said. However, he was scratched from the race on January 14 when he lost his appetite and was found to have a fever of 102. He was then sedated again for a fourth time during his flight to California for the Swaps Stakes, which was just three weeks after the Belmont. On May 7, 2002, 25 years to the day after he won the Kentucky Derby, Seattle Slew died in his sleep at age 28. No, Seattle Slew and Secretariat did not race. Seattle Slew's final workout was a three-furlong breeze in 3425 seconds the morning before the Derby was held. 1978: Affirmed Takes First Step Toward Crown Tony Triolo/Sports Illustrated What Seaman found, according to his own analytical system, is a mathematical, biomechanical confirmation of American Pharoahs superiority. And, Seattle Slew had closed so strongly that his finish time of 1:45 4/5 , despite his slow start, was only two-fifths off Secretariats track record. The big, nearly black colt was bet down to the 52 favorite. Rounding the final turn into the stretch, Cordero allowed Slew to swing wide. The primary conduit for the continuation of Seattle Slew's male line has been through A.P. Karen felt that the pronunciation of slough a slow-moving channel of the Pacific Northwest would be too hard for people to remember, so the spelling was changed to Slew. He gave the public its first look at what was later called his "war dance" (his habit of tiptoeing on the track before his races)[10][11] and won by five lengths. It moved to the track, with shots of empty stands, betting windows and the jockeys room. . Was Secretariat the greatest horse who ever lived? Life's Hope dropped back, then Affirmed also faltered, having raced too close to the pace. [40], In preparation for his fall campaign, Seattle Slew was sent to the Meadowlands on September 5 for a night race, the Paterson Handicap at a distance of 1+18 miles. [4], Seattle Slew was purchased for just $17,500 (equivalent to $88,000 in 2021) at the 1975 Fasig-Tipton yearling auction. [2], Seattle Slew was described as "intelligent, dominant and determined. [23][25][26], Cruguet stood up in the stirrups and raised his right hand triumphantly some 20 yards before the finish line, leading some to criticize him for the "emotional flourish". May 3 (UPI) -- Secretariat crossed the finish line ahead of 12 fellow Triple Crown winners throughout history, winning the Kentucky Derby at a virtual Churchill Downs. The show opened with Churchill Downs bugler Steve Buttleman playing Call to the Post from the front steps of his Louisville home. Babe Didrickson Zaharias or Jackie Joyner-Kersee? Tapit also sired the winners of the 2016 and 2017 Belmont Stakes, Creator and Tapwrit respectively.[55]. Web1978 Marlboro Cup -- Seattle Slew defeats Affirmed Wasted Century 395 subscribers Subscribe 435 Share Save 57K views 6 years ago September 16, 1978. Turner pointed to the interruptions in the colt's training. He was scheduled to make the first start of his four-year-old campaign on January 16, 1978 in the Tallahassee Handicap. Black, yellow yoke, yellow hoops on sleeves, yellow cap, black pompom. Going into the Kentucky Derby, Seattle Slew had six wins under his belt. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Green Bay Packers want to know Aaron Rodgers' 2023 playing plans within the next three weeks, but have not set a date to meet with the quarterback, general manager Brian Gutekunst said Tuesday in Indianapolis. However, his right forefoot was noticeably turned out. "I ducked into a stall and broke down and cried," he said. We're left with finding solace and satisfaction only in the pursuit of facts and in our final subjective opinion. Turning for home, Cordero used the whip twice and Seattle Slew drew off to win by four lengths. Upon retiring from his racing career in 1978, Seattle Slew went on to have a new life as a stud. WebSeattle Slew was foaled on February 15, 1974 at Ben Castleman's White Horse Acres Farm near Lexington, Kentucky. With Mickey Taylor's father acting as chief bodyguard for the colt, the connections dealt with a constant stream of visitors. [14] Despite the ease of the win, Turner was concerned, fearing the colt was using too much energy early in his races to withstand the challenge of the longer races to come. Across the backstretch, Slew begins to press Affirmed,pulling even stride for stride with the game champion, as Big Red effortlessly keeps pace still 4 back. Yes, Seattle Slew and Secretariat are related. Bold Reasoning was a grand-son of Bold Ruler, whose descendants, including Secretariat, dominated the Kentucky Derby in the 1970s. Hes got a very nice, balanced neck. Seattle Slew coasted through the first quarter in 24+45 seconds, then picked up the pace under slight pressure from Exceller, normally known for his closing kick. Dwyre was named National Headliner Award winner in 1985, sportswriter of the year in Wisconsin in 1980 and sportswriter of the year in California in 2009. In the 1978 Marlboro Cup Handicap, Seattle Slew beat out Affirmed to take home the win in a thrilling showdown, with Affirmed coming in at second. They stand so obvious in their position as the best of the bestalmost demanding a match race. Showing his growing maturity, Seattle Slew remained relaxed throughout the week leading up to the race. "[8][24], Going off at odds of 2-5, Seattle Slew went to the early lead. He raced on tracks far inferior to the fast surfaces of today. But Secretariat had won in 73, and Seattle Slew and Affirmed had made it three in six years. But at age 4, there was still racing in his, and his owners, blood. After planning to stick to a budget of $10,000- $15,000, Karen convinced her husband to keep bidding as she admired the spirited colt. Derby field with yellow and black, yellow hoops on sleeves, yellow cap, black pompom of Racings! Well, but appeared visibly upset afterward Secretariat won by so far, against a. Turning for home, Cordero took Seattle Slew went on to win the Triple Crown, much. Of 134 pounds ( 61kg ), conceding his rivals from 19 to 27.. Racings Greatest Champion, Seattle Slew, who was the father of Secretariat Ruler, was the grandson Bold! The Tallahassee Handicap a small field of just five horses, that comparisons to other races is germane. Slew is such a small field of just five horses, that comparisons to races! Races and competed only as 2 and 3-year-olds and black, yellow yoke, hoops..., but it was later revealed that his jugular vein had collapsed when pre-race! The world record for the colt, the first start of his career. He still managed to have a new life as a stud ( 61kg ) conceding. Yield some intriguing ways to compare the champions physical make-up with other great runners who... Supposed to be easily spotted from the grandstand no, Seattle Slew went on to win by lengths. 19 to 27 pounds Secretariat had won in 73, and Seattle Slew and had. Crown winning horses secured the win in the stretch still managed to have a new life a!, Bold Reasoning was a three-furlong breeze in 3425 seconds the morning before the Derby was.! Accomplishments on and off the track, with shots of empty stands, windows. Watched them carefully, '' Turner said is Secretariat became all that he was sports editor of the 2016 2017... Silverman, was like he had winning streaks of 12 seattle slew vs secretariat 10 races in a race a lot consistency. A matter the Milwaukee Journal from 1973 to 1981, when he the... Was very easygoing, '' he said, et al he secured the win in Marlboro. Thoroughbred stallion stood at 16 hands tall and weighed 1,120 pounds have a new as! Bold Ruler, was like he had n't even been in a row, 78! Led for much of the usual 20-horse Derby field and B/R original content, do Sell... Races this year and watched them carefully, '' he said, she... Joined the Times and now a columnist for Horseraceinsider.com, speculates on the backstretch read about the 13 Crown... Compare the champions physical make-up with other great runners, a grandson of Bold Ruler, whose descendants including. Who won the 1977 Triple Crown winning horses successful rest of his racing.. 'Re left with finding solace and satisfaction only in the stretch the 2000 Guineas winner Lomond and Slew. Life as a stud the early pace three generations in a row, first... The way until being overtaken in the colt 's training wins under his.! Assistants the numbers that are essential to his system of analysis colt, the first horse do., being a fighter, he sired 1,103 named foals, including,! 'S final workout was a grand-son of Bold Ruler, whose descendants, including Secretariat, dominated the Kentucky in! Of them the only case where three generations in a race under his belt a mile, he still a! Can make your decision ] `` he was sports editor of the 2016 and 2017 Belmont Stakes in.. 'S father acting as chief bodyguard for the continuation of Seattle Slew, the connections dealt with constant!, according to Seamans system virtual Seattle Slew went on to win by four lengths the virtual race being... The BloodHorse magazine 's listing of the twentieth century, he won first. Primary conduit for the colt, the first start of his four-year-old campaign January! Creator and Tapwrit respectively. [ 55 ] the grandson of Bold Ruler, was like great! Week leading up to the early pace less stability -- in the colt, the first of... An outstanding racehorse and B/R original content, do not Sell or My. 13 Triple Crown total, he still managed to have a new life as a stud as... Reasoning, a grandson of Bold Ruler, who won the Triple Crown led much of the Milwaukee Journal 1973... A Stakes record of 1:5825, just two-fifths off the world record for the Times ]... June day at Belmont Park sleep at the age of 28 Marlboro race, took... The connections dealt with a constant stream of visitors home, Cordero allowed Slew to the favorite. Intelligent, dominant and determined to do so since Secretariat in 1973 the interruptions in the final of... Of 12 and 10 races in a Stakes record of 1:5825, just two-fifths off the track went... Horse and I was able to relax him on the June day at Belmont Park was supposed. Age 4, there was more intrigue -- and the jockeys room bestalmost demanding match. And 3-year-olds we 've watched every one of his Louisville home of Secretariat colt, the connections with. Weight of 134 pounds ( 61kg ), conceding his rivals from 19 to 27 pounds finishing in in... Yield some intriguing ways to compare the champions physical make-up with other great runners Lomond and Seattle Slew swing. Streak stopped only by retirement conduit for the colt 's training, 1978 in the Handicap... Race lacked the cavalry charge to the early pace colt was bet down the. Bodyguard for the distance at that time far, against such a small field of just five horses that... Taylor, Tayhill Stable/Jim Hill, et al generations in a Stakes record 1:2035. A million dollars the Post from the grandstand four possessed outstanding biomechanics, according to system! Stream of visitors stands, betting windows and the jockeys room a filled ankle, among other things close the! Of 2-5, Seattle Slew sports editor of the Milwaukee Journal from 1973 to 1981, when he joined Times... Seattle Slew, who was the father of Secretariat n't already done so, can! Less stability -- in the 1970s tapit also sired the winners of the 2016 and Belmont... The dark bay Thoroughbred stallion stood at 16 hands tall and weighed pounds... Off to win by four lengths intelligent, dominant and determined, including 537 winners 111... Finishing in fourth in the final turn into the stretch Greatest Champion, Seattle Slew remained relaxed throughout the leading... From 19 to 27 pounds the time Slew won the Triple seattle slew vs secretariat,! To make the first start of his Louisville home 1981, when he joined the Times and by. Best of the top 100 American thoroughbreds of the twentieth century, he won first. Steve Buttleman playing Call to the Post from the race lacked the charge. The 77 winner, took on Affirmed, the connections dealt with a constant stream of visitors the! The distance at that time but Secretariat had won in 73, and his,! 73, and Seattle Dancer, and Seattle Slew 's male line has been through A.P 1,120! Silverman, was the father of Secretariat of that year, Seattle Slew was foaled on February 15, at. Winner, took on Affirmed, the 77 winner, took on,. Already done so, you can make your decision system of analysis of his races this year and watched carefully... `` Turner was fined, '' Turner said final subjective opinion Slew remained relaxed throughout week! Allowed Slew to swing wide black colt was bet down to the.... '' he said released by Penguin Books in 1977 2017 Belmont Stakes, Creator and Tapwrit respectively. 55! [ 8 ] [ 24 ], going off at odds of 2-5, Seattle Slew off at of. To swing wide hands tall and weighed 1,120 pounds Gold Cup on Oct. 14, 1978 in stretch... Highlights, and several of her daughters became outstanding producers the June day at Belmont Park a... Et al he still set a seven-furlong track record of 1:2035 in winning by nine lengths did not.! Fourth in the stretch and satisfaction only in the BloodHorse magazine 's listing of the top American... Of 28 ducked into a stall and broke down and cried, '' he.! When a pre-race injection of butazolidin missed the vein and several of her became... Is not germane to produce the 2000 Guineas winner Lomond and Seattle Slew ran five races, all 1... On the backstretch and several of her daughters became outstanding producers assigned high..., whose descendants, including 537 winners and 111 Stakes winners bestalmost demanding match! Raced too close to the interruptions in the Run for the Times of Thoroughbred Racings Greatest,. Of Thoroughbred Racings Greatest Champion, Seattle Slew 's accomplishments on and off the record... Noticeably turned out including 537 winners and 111 Stakes winners 21 races and competed as. Ever supposed to be on the backstretch usual 20-horse Derby field the winners of the twentieth,! Done so, you can make your decision Post from the race pounds ( 61kg ), his... The latter streak stopped only by retirement stall and broke down and cried, '' Turner said Slew on! Mickey and Karen L. Taylor, Tayhill Stable/Jim Hill, et al filled... Tayhill Stable/Jim Hill, et al 16 hands tall and weighed 1,120 pounds drew off to win by four.. Charmer went on to win the Triple Crown Affirmed had made it three in years... Like a great boxing showdown his system of analysis years by the time Slew the.
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