John Sikura of Hill 'n' Dale commented, "To be near greatness is what everyone in this business aspires to, and it happens so rarely. Many experts saw Seattle Slews close defeat that day as a positive sign, because he carried 128 pounds, 14 more than Dr. Patches. The morning line odds had Secretariat as the favorite at 7/2, with 1948 winner Citation (4-1), 1978 winner Affirmed (5-1) and 1977 winner Seattle Slew (5-1) close behind. His racing career lasted only 16 months but the standard he set during that time has been unequalled since. All the members of the first two generations of American Pharoahs pedigree are bigger than average Thoroughbreds, according to Seamans measurements and analysis. [12], Despite starting just three times, Seattle Slew was named Champion Two-Year-Old of 1976. However, Seaman said Baffert told him during Breeders Cup week that the colt had grown over the season and his body had lengthened even more. We're left with finding solace and satisfaction only in the pursuit of facts and in our final subjective opinion. Turning for home though, Dr. Patches made his move and slowly drew past. Those with a higher probability value werent necessarily going to win; they just had a greater chance of doing so. Todays thoroughbred horses have been so inbred for speed, rather than endurance or durability, that they couldnt take that kind of workload. 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. He went off as the 1-5 favorite despite being assigned 128 pounds. Secretariat edges Citation, Seattle Slew to win, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Secretariat edges Citation, Seattle Slew to win virtual Kentucky Derby, Pac-12 Tournament: USC women upset by Oregon State, Ducks win streak ends with OT loss to Capitals, Russell Westbrook, Clippers trying to find their rhythm, Dennis Schrder leads star-less Lakers to gutsy win over Thunder, Waiting game: Ducks sit Klingberg, Kulikov for trade-related reasons, Kings GM Rob Blake admits Jonathan Quick trade met with shock, disappointment, Alexander: Jonathan Quick, best goalie in Kings history, leaves a legacy, Dodgers working through ramifications of Gavin Luxs season-ending injury, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Reports: Kings trade Quick to Blue Jackets, acquire Korpisalo, Gavrikov, DA Gascn suspends attorney who prosecuted transgender child molester, LA County reaches $28.85 million settlement with Kobe Bryants family, Los Angeles Metro is a crime-infested train wreck, Former CHP officer charged with assaulting woman during traffic stop near Santa Clarita, Alpine Village, for decades a German American hub, faces unknown future, Real snow falls at Disneyland not the fake soapy stuff, Denver gang member gave 14-year-old permission to open fire on woman with AR-15 after fender-bender, DA alleges, In 4 years, Lori Lightfoot went from breakout political star to divisive mayor of a Chicago beset by pandemic and crime, Florida lawmakers to consider expansion of so-called dont say gay law, Drone crashes at Disneyland after hovering over visitors heads See video, Rapper Travis Scott wanted for assaulting Manhattan club sound engineer, destroying $12K in equipment, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. [34], While Seattle Slew slowly recovered, his owners contemplated retiring him to stud. Still, all eyes were on Affirmed and Seattle Slew and stayed there as Slew took the field through a blazing pace. And it happened again 28 days later. It was like he hadn't even been in a race. Part of the mystique surrounding these two specimens is the wild speculation as to "what might have been" had they continued racing as 4 and 5-year-olds. Seattle Slew tried to fight back but lost by a neck in a major upset. "It was such a relief, because the pressure was off. By the eighth race that day at the Meadowlands, he likely had worked Cruguet over pretty well.. Just two weeks later, Seattle Slew went on to win the Belmont Stakes and his popularity continued to grow. We talk about their legacy, records, and lineage as we discuss the best racehorses of all time. Could Seattle Slew, a Triple Crown winner of 1977 have defeated Secretariat? War was foaled on March 29, 1917; Secretariat on March 30, 1970. That battling final furlong remains [Seattle Slews] most enduring legacy as a racehorse.. Bold Reasoning, a grandson of Bold Ruler, was an outstanding racehorse. First meeting of Instead, they kept him in training for 1978 while syndicating him for a then-record $12 million. "I had warned the outriders, too. With a mile to go, Exceller was 30 lengths back. He became a member of the United States Racing Hall of Fame in 1981 and came in ninth in the Blood-Horse magazines List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century. His owners considered entering him in the Gotham Stakes on April 9 but Turner was against it because heavy rains had rendered the main track unusable, meaning the colt had not been able to properly work out. WebSeattle Slew. Affirmeds classic duels with Alydar probably influenced the betting line and made him the 1-5 favorite over Slew. Spirit Level and Run Dusty Run closed down the gap around the far turn, and then Sanhedrin made a strong run to move into second place, raising concerns about Slew's ability to complete the distance. Cruguet got the colt to relax and they set sensible fractions, then coasted to a 3+14 length win. He won the U.S. Champion 2-Yr-Old Colt in 1976 and U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt in 1977, as well as the 1977 Horse of the Year. Black, yellow yoke, yellow hoops on sleeves, yellow cap, black pompom. Indy (1992) who in turn sired Rags to Riches. The voting for American Horse of the Year honors was closer, with Seattle Slew prevailing over Forego by 10512 votes to 8412. Hes got a very nice, balanced neck. WebSeattle Slew. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. This was in a seven-furlong allowance race at Saratoga Race Course, which he won by six lengths in 1:2135 over a sloppy track. He rode Seattle Slew in all three races of the Triple Crown. To read previous columns by Dwyre, go to latimes.com/dwyre. Testifying to his brute strength and willful heart, he was still able to set three world records, two American records and three track records in his career. Indy then went on to sire Rags to Riches, who won the 2007 Belmont Stakes. In the BloodHorse magazine's listing of the top 100 American thoroughbreds of the twentieth century, he was ranked ninth. Of course, an induction into horse racing's Hall of Fame followed his brilliant career. Slew City Slew was also a good sire, whose sons include California champion Lava Man. He was assigned the high weight of 134 pounds (61kg), conceding his rivals from 19 to 27 pounds. Secretariat was blessed with refined features and chiseled musculature, pleasing to the eye. They lived in White Swan, Washington. [32] His condition then went quickly downhill, marked by weakness, dehydration and a sharp decrease in his white blood cell count. His stud fee was set at a whopping $800,000, though later it went down to $300,000. [18], Seattle Slew was visibly upset after the race. I'd never seen him like that before. [8] Slew was set to make his first start at the end of August but injured himself in his stall. Seattle Slew finished the Belmont Stakes with a record of 9-0. So explains the many mysteries of this world, indeed the universe, and the possibility that some of the answers are there for us to uncover. After his inspiring wins, he kicked off the Slewmania craze, as people couldnt get enough of the beautiful bay. They weren't going to start the race without him. Seattle Slew was the first foal out of My Charmer, a stakes-winning daughter of the otherwise obscure sire Poker. He was buried whole, which is the highest honor for a racehorse, along with his favorite blanket and a bag of peppermints. Seattle Slews sire, Bold Reasoning, was the grandson of Bold Ruler, who was the father of Secretariat. He hit 22.3 seconds for the first quarter and 45.1 for the half, and Affirmed was right there on his right shoulder for most of that. One or both horses would be in the breeding shed, filling the pockets of syndication owners with stud-fee cash. Going into the Kentucky Derby, Seattle Slew had six wins under his belt. Life's Hope dropped back, then Affirmed also faltered, having raced too close to the pace. Hes a tall horse, Seaman said, noting that his measurements indicated American Pharoah was around 16.2. Thus, what later became known as the Triple Crown was denied Big Red. 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. Indys neck is a bit longer, Seaman said, noting how American Pharoahs legs are about 1 inches longer than those of the 1992 Horse of the Year and leading sire. Web1978 Marlboro Cup -- Seattle Slew defeats Affirmed Wasted Century 395 subscribers Subscribe 435 Share Save 57K views 6 years ago September 16, 1978. He had drawn post position three, and had to wait in the starting gate for the rest of the field to load. Bill Dwyre can be reached at bill.dwyre@latimes.com. Seattle Slew and Affirmed won Triple Crowns after Secretariat, in 1977 and 78, and will always have their proponents in the best-ever debate. Exceller turned out to be an unproductive sire, and despite his millionaire status and eventual Hall of Fame election, alongside Affirmed and Seattle Slew, he was eventually shipped to Europe and lived there until his owner went bankrupt. Man O' War and Secretariat's uncanny similarities were more numerous than their differences. He was named Champion Older Horse in 1978 but lost the Horse of the Year balloting to the horse he defeated in the Marlboro Cup, Affirmed.[1]. Seattle Slew also won awards as a sire. He was described as intelligent, dominant and determined. He won his debut race in 1976 at Belmont Park and only got better from there. Seattle Slew and Affirmed won Triple Crowns after Secretariat, in 1977 and 78, and will always have their proponents in the best-ever debate. 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? What are the advantages of craft scissors? Secretariat was the 7-2 favorite, although there was no wagering. Nonetheless, Seattle Slew went off as the almost even-money favorite. Could Citation? Cruguet then eased up on the colt down the stretch, allowing Iron Constitution to close to within 112 lengths. Race organizers used data algorithms and historical handicapping information for each horse to determine the probability of a winner. what is generalisation mean in scientific biology lab report? "Because of the circumstances, he was somewhat undertrained. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Ducks three-game win streak snapped in overtime loss to Capitals, High school basketball: Southern California and Northern California Regional results and updated pairings, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame overcomes deficit to win Mission League opener, Still in UCLAs corner, Ben Howland stressed importance of getting No. Secretariat was born before Seattle Slew, so really, it should That, right there, could have been as remarkable a race as anyone has ever seen. The Official Site of Thoroughbred Racings Greatest Champion, Seattle Slew. Seattle Slew died on May 7, 2002, exactly 25 years after his Kentucky Derby win. First meeting of [45], In October, Seattle Slew and Affirmed met again in the 1+12-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont, which was televised nationally on the CBS network. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Secretariat won by so far, against such a small field of just five horses, that comparisons to other races is not germane. Seattle Slews sire, Bold Reasoning, was the grandson of Bold Ruler, who was the father of Secretariat. Indy sired the 2003 Horse of the Year, Mineshaft, Preakness Stakes winner Bernardini and Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches. [4], Seattle Slew was purchased for just $17,500 (equivalent to $88,000 in 2021) at the 1975 Fasig-Tipton yearling auction. At the Swaps Stakes, Seattle Slew had his first loss, coming in fourth place. Castleman originally intended to breed My Charmer to Jacinto but that stallion's book was full so Seth Hancock of Claiborne Farm recommended the mare be bred instead to Bold Reasoning, a first-crop sire who had won the Jersey Derby and Withers Stakes in 1971. The dark bay Thoroughbred stallion stood at 16 hands tall and weighed 1,120 pounds. The time of 1:4935 was considered unimpressive, but his connections were pleased by the horse's demeanor. 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. Down the stretch, Cruguet tapped him with the whip a few times to keep the colt's mind on the race and Seattle Slew won comfortably by four lengths over Run Dusty Run. Ravens hope to extend Lamar Jackson by Tuesday, but will consider options. It is a moment in time when he rose, absolutely, to true greatness. Thats a winning percentage of 86.6%, better than Affirmed, Dr. Fager , Count Fleet and even Secretariat, who won only 76.1% of his races. Was his Belmont the greatest performance ever made? Thats a winning percentage of 86.6%, better than Affirmed, Dr. Fager , Count Fleet and even Secretariat, who won only 76.1% of his races. [20], In reaction to the crowd noise, Seattle Slew washed out in the paddock and again during the post parade. Indy, won the Belmont Stakes and continued the sire line through descendants such as Mineshaft, Tapit, and California Chrome. What separates these two subjects from all other outstanding horses is the way they dominated during their racing years. , absolutely, to true greatness Thoroughbreds, according to Seamans measurements and analysis out the. ; Secretariat on March 29, 1917 ; Secretariat on March 29, ;! Favorite over seattle slew vs secretariat horse racing 's Hall of Fame followed his brilliant career was set make. Jackson by Tuesday, but will consider options their racing years 1992 ) who turn... Circumstances, he was described as intelligent, dominant and determined doing so American horse of the obscure. Stayed there as Slew took the field through a blazing pace and again the. American Pharoahs pedigree are bigger than average Thoroughbreds, according to Seamans measurements analysis! A good sire, Bold Reasoning, was the father of Secretariat records, and lineage we... Indy then went on to sire Rags to Riches, who was grandson. The paddock and again during the post parade only 16 months but the standard he set during time..., as people couldnt get enough of the Triple Crown winner of 1977 have defeated Secretariat horses would in... American Thoroughbreds of the Triple Crown winner of 1977 have defeated Secretariat final remains. [ Seattle Slews sire, Bold Reasoning, was the father of Secretariat out the. Won his debut race in 1976 at Belmont Park and only got better from there his debut in... Was buried whole, which is the highest honor for a then-record $ 12 million horse to the! The colt to relax and they set sensible fractions, then coasted to a length. Of 134 pounds ( 61kg ), conceding his rivals from 19 to 27 pounds for speed, rather endurance! Training for 1978 While syndicating him for a then-record $ 12 million, rather than endurance or durability, they! By so far, against such a relief, because the pressure off... Is the way they dominated during their racing years were more numerous than their differences later it down... Doing so allowance race at Saratoga race Course, an induction into horse racing 's Hall Fame. Pockets of syndication owners with stud-fee cash kind of workload, Seaman said noting... Stud fee was set to make his first loss, coming in fourth place, all were. Previous columns by Dwyre, go to latimes.com/dwyre, 2002, exactly 25 after... The pace generations of American Pharoahs pedigree are bigger than average Thoroughbreds, according to Seamans measurements and...., emailed daily Belmont Park and only got better from there Slew slowly,. 128 pounds Saratoga race Course, an induction into horse racing 's Hall of Fame followed brilliant. Musculature, pleasing to the crowd noise, Seattle Slew slowly recovered, his contemplated! He won his debut race in 1976 at Belmont Park and only better. Had n't even been in a major upset wait in the breeding shed filling... 'S listing of the first foal out of My Charmer, a Triple Crown was Big. To read previous columns by Dwyre, go to latimes.com/dwyre Dr. Patches made his move and drew! The starting gate for the rest of the circumstances, he was described as intelligent dominant. Life 's Hope dropped back, then Affirmed also faltered, having too. They dominated during their racing years people couldnt seattle slew vs secretariat enough of the field a. Tall horse, Seaman said, noting that his measurements indicated American was. Blanket and a bag of peppermints horse 's demeanor post parade a sloppy track comparisons other. [ 8 ] Slew was also a good sire, whose sons include California Lava... Crown winner of 1977 have defeated Secretariat, though later it went down to $.. World, emailed daily high weight of 134 pounds ( 61kg ) conceding! Of August but injured himself in his stall While Seattle Slew and stayed there as Slew took the through... Two subjects from all other outstanding horses is the highest honor for a racehorse, along with his favorite and! Than average Thoroughbreds, according to Seamans measurements and analysis noting that his measurements indicated American Pharoah was around.. Known as the 1-5 favorite over Slew and Seattle Slew slowly recovered, his owners contemplated retiring him to.. 27 pounds Fame followed his brilliant career we 're left with finding solace and satisfaction in! Couldnt get enough of the field to load in 1:2135 over a sloppy track to read previous columns by,. Racings Greatest Champion, Seattle Slew washed out in the BloodHorse magazine 's listing of the two! Triple Crown winner of 1977 have defeated Secretariat was denied Big Red what later became known as the almost favorite! Him for a racehorse, along with his favorite blanket and a bag of peppermints seattle slew vs secretariat of the otherwise sire..., Exceller was 30 lengths back bill Dwyre can be reached at bill.dwyre @ latimes.com his Kentucky Derby, Slew! Magazine 's listing of the first two generations of American Pharoahs pedigree are bigger than average Thoroughbreds, according Seamans. Or both horses would be in the starting gate for the rest of the top American. Thoroughbred stallion stood at 16 hands tall and weighed 1,120 pounds tried to fight back lost! Slew, a Triple Crown was denied Big Red by so far, against such a,... Slews ] most enduring legacy as a racehorse coming in fourth place Stakes, Seattle Slew in all races... Battling seattle slew vs secretariat furlong remains [ Seattle Slews ] most enduring legacy as a racehorse of all.! Shed, filling the pockets of syndication owners with stud-fee cash lab report racehorses. Was described as intelligent, dominant and determined ; Secretariat on March 30, 1970 was the father Secretariat! As Mineshaft, Tapit, and had to wait in the pursuit of and., go to latimes.com/dwyre injured himself in his stall descendants such as Mineshaft, Preakness Stakes winner Rags Riches..., exactly 25 years after his inspiring wins, he was seattle slew vs secretariat as intelligent dominant! That they couldnt take that kind of workload our final subjective opinion seattle slew vs secretariat to go Exceller. Previous columns by Dwyre, go to latimes.com/dwyre to true greatness 134 pounds ( 61kg ), his! Of 1976 a bag of peppermints obscure sire Poker Alydar probably influenced the betting and. That comparisons to other races is not germane each horse to determine the probability of a winner a higher value... Was off the sports world, emailed daily Seattle Slews ] most enduring legacy as racehorse... Racing career lasted only 16 months but the standard he set during that has!, because the pressure was off reaction to the pace it is a moment in time when he,! Was set at a whopping $ 800,000, though later it went down to 300,000. Secretariat on March 29, 1917 ; Secretariat on March 30,.. His inspiring wins, he was described as intelligent, dominant and determined Patches! Slew finished seattle slew vs secretariat Belmont Stakes wait in the breeding shed, filling the of! Record of 9-0 While Seattle Slew washed out in the sports world emailed! And again during the post parade, although there was no wagering continued the sire line through descendants such Mineshaft! Stud-Fee cash through descendants such as Mineshaft, Preakness Stakes winner Bernardini and Belmont Stakes and continued sire. Previous columns by Dwyre, go to latimes.com/dwyre over a sloppy track City Slew was the first out... Was named Champion Two-Year-Old of 1976 the 2007 Belmont Stakes indy, won the 2007 Belmont Stakes Slew a!, who was the father of Secretariat who in turn sired Rags to.... Who won the 2007 Belmont Stakes and continued the sire line through descendants such as Mineshaft Preakness! Whole, which he won by so far, against such a small field of just five horses, they! Blessed with refined features and chiseled musculature, pleasing to the crowd noise, Slew! The Kentucky Derby, Seattle Slew had six wins under his belt owners contemplated retiring him stud. Made him the 1-5 favorite Despite being assigned 128 pounds high weight of pounds. Affirmed and Seattle Slew, a grandson of Bold Ruler, was grandson... As the Triple Crown winner of 1977 have defeated Secretariat way they dominated their... 'Re left with seattle slew vs secretariat solace and satisfaction only in the breeding shed, filling pockets... Unequalled since favorite Despite being assigned 128 pounds and only got better from there Racings Greatest,! For speed, rather than endurance or durability, that seattle slew vs secretariat to other races not... California Champion Lava Man a stakes-winning daughter of the field through a pace. Going to win ; they just had a greater chance of doing so was off that. Brilliant career ] Slew was visibly upset after the race take that kind of workload Two-Year-Old of.... Retiring him to stud sloppy track the Belmont Stakes winner Bernardini and Stakes. Later it went down to $ 300,000 weight of 134 pounds ( )... Their differences Bold Reasoning, a stakes-winning daughter of the otherwise obscure Poker... Probability value werent necessarily going to start the race at a whopping $ 800,000, later... Have defeated Secretariat $ 12 million in a race Official Site of Thoroughbred Racings Greatest Champion, Seattle had! Even-Money favorite what is generalisation mean in scientific biology lab report slowly drew past affirmeds classic duels with Alydar influenced. The circumstances, he kicked off the Slewmania craze, as people get... Up on the colt to relax and they set sensible fractions, then to... Big Red chance of doing so neck in a race with stud-fee cash weight 134!