Seattle Slew - The 1977 Belmont Stakes

[@philb.1502]

Seattle Slew was the first horse ever to be undefeated through the Triple Crown races!! An incredible feat and a spectacular horse that seems underrated!

[@all66books]

The thing that stands out to me here is that every time that a horse comes up to challenge Slew, he just turns it up a notch and shrugs off the challenge, and is much the best down the stretch. A super performance on a muddy, slow Belmont strip.

[@gpipeline]

Run Dusty Run was my favorite horse; such a gamer. But Seattle Slew was just too good, and remains to this day an underrated champion.

[@michaelinminn]

After graduating from college, I drove out to visit friends and relatives on the East Coast. My cousin, Camille, and I witnessed Seattle Slew win the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes. Slew came late to the paddock and was in such a sweat. I thought that he was already over spent and would not be be able to go 1 1/2 miles and win. Well, that was just how he always looked, I later discovered. In my youth we had a horse named Dusty, and I liked how Run Dusty Run looked pre-race, so I bet $5 on him to win. That was back in the day when you had to walk up to the Win window to bet. I also put $2 on Slew to win just to make sure I covered history. I still have the ticket! Run Dusty Run had a clean race but just couldn't do it, as Seattle Slew was clearly the better horse. What a horse. Pure energy and power. I am forever thankful that I got a chance to see a great horse win the Triple Crown. Thank you, Seattle Slew. P.S. I'll be at Cby to see if California Chrome can finish his amazing story. P.P.S. Secretariat is still the best.

[@gotch09]

Slew and Affirmed were never given the due they so justly deserved.

[@Rightsideup]

Slew is my all time favorite, just a dominating warrior of a horse.

[@lkmorgan1959]

Sooo wish I'd been there! Slew was one of a kind. He won SO easily and deservedly. As a stud he'd glare at the rest till they turned away. His eyes were golden, so mesmerizing. He was THE CHAMP in my book. I'm lucky I got to see him up close.

[@SWALE1984]

Incredible race by Seattle Slew. The track was a sea of tremendous slop. There was five inches of mud around the first turn. The footing was poor. Yet, Slew still came in at 2:29 3/5. It was also the first time he had ever run on a muddy track. And still, he handled it like a pro. Like a true professional.

[@TheNummerthirteen]

Of all the Triple Crown winners, the Slew is my favourite. I'm not sure why, but I've always liked him from the moment I first watched his races and read about him. Just looking at him go... His feet were carried by the winds of Aeolus no doubt! A shame the track wasn't fast, but at the same time the possibilities capture the imagination better than reality. Who knows!

[@jkoff76]

He was Black Beauty, as far as I'm concerned. Just a big bunch of muscles!!

[@ButOneThingIsNeedful]

Exactly -- what a closer. It's very common to see the lead horse on the homestretch fade, but not Slew. Could he ever hold a lead once won.

[@frankalfisi1972]

Seattle Slew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rangerdgd1]

My brother still has his ticket from the Derby...Slew went off at 3/5 or something like that

[@mshobohorse]

Slew starts from 2nd or 1st place in the race. Secretariat usually starts from the back of the pack to collect momentum. They're both great horses, there's no reason to think 1 is better than the other. The same goes for Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure, Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra. (Though Secretariat is by far my most favorite)

[@all66books]

OK, I have found out this much; the late Smiley Adams was Run Dusty Runs' trainer for his whole career. RDRs rider for the Derby & Preakness was replaced with Sandy Hawley. So it was a change of riders, not trainers.

[@joefederico]

Seattle Slew was a great horse, there is no debating that but his 3-y/o competition was average at best. Run Dusty Run was a good horse but nothing special. Iron Constitution was a 1-dimensional dead stoner closer who loved the mud and still couldn't beat Slew. Jean Cruguet rode Slew awesomely and never pushed more than he needed. Slew solidified his greatness as a 4 y/o beating Affirmed.

[@rangerdgd1]

Smarty Jones had the same length lead at the last 1/4 mile,but couldn't hold off Birdstone

[@ruffchamp1]

hey..do u know why the videos on youtube keep stopping in the middle of them? how can we fix this? thanx for posting the legend!

[@Farrah300]

@jlalewicz I totally agree with you, especially when it comes to Barbaro.

[@all66books]

I remember that the owner of Run Dusty Run actually switched trainers after RDRs third place finish in the Preakness because he was certain that he had the horse who could beat Slew. I've been trying to look up the details to that story, but haven't been successful. Could somebody fill in the blanks, deny/confirm this? I'm pretty sure that I'm remembering at least that much correctly.

[@faradayfilms3176]

Although not exactly the same, the way California Chrome runs is rather similar to Seattle Slew. Neither horse is too flashy in their races. But what they both do is win consistently. It was enough for Slew. It should be enough for Chrome.

[@grgoldner]

I think Slew had way more competition than Big Red. Run Dusty Run, Iron Constitution, et al. It is a toss up.