1978 Woodward Stakes - Seattle Slew

A somewhat different version than the videos of this race that cf1970 has posted. We might as well get to see them all. :)

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• 1978
• Woodward
• Stakes
• Belmont
• Park
• Horse
• Racing
• Seattle
• Slew
• Exceller
• Angel
• Cordero
• Bill
• Shoemaker

[cf1970]

I'm happy you've posted these network versions; I've always wanted to see them. That was quite the funky music at the end. :)

Thanks.

[AwsiDooger]

Yeah, what was the music all about? LOL.

These network versions have extended commentary and replays at the end. That's primarily why I posted them.

I always thought Slew looked happiest in this race than any other. Loping along.

Exceller was better than I've estimated. I never like too much credit for losing, so I want to be consistent with that. But Exceller had much the worst of it, no pace challenger and Shoemaker forced to stay much closer than preferred, yet Exceller never wilted.

[davemock]

What wonderful memories these videos are. Not only to a time of racing champions, but to a long-gone day when the fall races at Belmont were significant enough sporting events to be broadcast live on network TV.

[ruffchamp1]

Seattle Slew was Brilliant.

[DanielSong39]

Superb. This is what you get when Seattle Slew is at his best and doesn't set a sick pace in a 1 1/2 mile race.

He shows here why he was the best horse in '78.  Exceller did get him in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, but Slew was the better of the two. Affirmed was nowhere near in his two tries vs. open company.

[govrom12]

Chic Anderson was one helluva race announcer. Honestly, I don't think there's anyone today that comes even close in calling a great race. Of course, we'll always remember Chic for his famous call of Secretariat's Belmont Stakes in 1973. Sadly, he left us too soon and he's still the last one to have called a Triple Crown winner in the Belmont, that being Affirmed in 1978.

[drfager01]

what high crusing speed.

[thelongshot99]

Seattle Slew remains the ONLY undefeated Triple Crown winner. The only horse ever to get the lead on 'Slew and beat him was JO Tobin. Otherwise, you could not get the lead on this horse and beat him. He would tear your heart out. I love 'Slew running back on less than two weeks time on regular basis. The Black Stallion is my favorite ever!

[rscarbro100]

@DanielSong39 Speculation is not getting real & that exactly what your doing. The reason Exceller won that race because he ran a slower pace & had more left at the end But I will give Slew credit. He made one hell of a race out of it. One of the best races I ever saw. But in no way this race proved Exceller was better than Affirmed. He ran a very fast pace also.

[DanielSong39]

@rscarbro100 The answer to that is simple. The voters are mesmerized by the Triple Crown and don't seem to realize that the handicap division is usually stronger. There's a reason why the Triple Crown has been won 11 times, while the perfect season running a full schedule in the handicap division has only been done 4 times.

And let's get real about the belt slip. Affirmed wasn't going to be anywhere near Exceller or Seattle Slew at the finish.

[rscarbro100]

@GBeret83 Slew did not start racing until he was over 2 1/2 years old & only raced 5 times before coming into the T.C. The only T.C. winner with the least races ever before racing the Derby by far. Did you know that??

[rscarbro100]

@DanielSong39 Why did not Exceller or Slew capture the American horse of the year in 1978?? Affirmed took those honors in 1978 & 79. Slew nor The Bid ever did that. The horse racing experts knew exactly what was going on in 1978.

[rscarbro100]

@DanielSong39 Don't you know when a belt slips on a horse it will put him out of the race. How in the world do you expect any horse to win if their belt slips?? If the JGC is the race you judge that Exceller was better than Affirmed then you quite don't know anything about horse racing with all due respect. Exceller was not match for Affirmed in the M.C & Affirmed was fighting a throat infection in that one.

[DanielSong39]

@rscarbro100 Exceller was at his best in '78, while Affirmed peaked in '79. Affirmed may have had a better career than Exceller, but in '78 he simply couldn't keep up with Seattle Slew or Exceller.

But you don't have to take my word for it; the Marlboro and the Jockey Club Gold Cup tells the whole story.