Seattle Slew, First Race at 4, Aqueduct Allowance 1978

Seattle Slew returns to the races after a 10+ month layoff, and nearly dying of colitis in the winter. It was Doug Peterson's first race as trainer of Slew.

This was a 7 furlong race in the slop at Aqueduct against a small modest field. For reference purposes, this race was run on May 14, 1978, a Sunday on the weekend between the great Derby and Preakness battles of Affirmed and Alydar.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Seattle
• Slew
• Aqueduct
• Allowance
• 1978
• Jean
• Cruguet
• Doug
• Peterson

[cf1970]

What a performance after having endured such a setback! Wow, that track was a bog, and he ran on it like it was fast. What terrific fractions.

Seeing these races by Slew is cementing him in the top 3 or 4, for me anyway. Based on pure ability alone, that is.

Thank you very much.

[AwsiDooger]

I think that's a good basic summary, top 3 or 4 on ability. Slew might have done more with better health and more aggressive handlers, prioritizing statement races.

I remember the top racing writers from the Washington Post -- Clem Florio and Andrew Beyer -- agree on Larry King's Mutual radio show in maybe '79 that we never saw Slew run his best race.

[disciple90633]

The Slew is my fave horse of all time and I remember this race when it happened. What's more impressive is how he handled that swamp of a track. Very impressive athlete who had no weaknesses in his game. Probably the most proficient stud of all time as well, or at least top 5 for sure.

[yipyappyyip]

@Holmes270 Ugotta went 1 for 18?

[yipyappyyip]

@AwsiDooger I agree AwsiDooger. They never got to the best of Seattle Slew. Even that Jockey Club Gold Cup in which they say is perhaps his greatest race...I don't think we ever got to see this freak of nature. He was one in a million, the best horse in my eyes ever...

[romancap]

he almost died in late 1977 (colic i think) he was rested and the new trainer doug peterson wanted an easy race

[BrianShaw23]

What the hells was Slew doing in an Allowance race at 4?

[allaboutthecake]

Wow, what a muddy bog of a track. Magnificent animal to dance on the top of that sludge. Seattle Slew is my fav horse of all time.

[firstover]

Bring him to Yavapai downs and let my

rider Donnie French get the mount.

[BE109]

The Slew was in one word incredible!

[Holmes270]

You want to hear something?I own the son of Seattle Slew, his name is Ugotta and he will be racing in 2009!So look for a dark bay stallion named Ugotta.