6/9/07 - SEATTLE SLEW'S BELMONT 6/11/1977

Happy 30^th Anniversary in winning the Triple Crown Undefeated

Dear Slew,

We remember 30 years ago on June 11, 1977. You thrilled New York's racing fans by winning the Belmont and making racing history by winning the Triple Crown undefeated.  You fulfilled your destiny.

That Saturday there were torrential rains in New York.  We didn't know if you liked the mud, but we knew you would give it your heart and that you were a New Yorker true and true with grit, ever the professional, always doing whatever it takes. Ever since you breezed as a 2 year old at Saratoga, we knew you were special, but you showed the world in the Champagne and we knew you could do the test of the Belmont.  You just needed racing luck.  You were late to the paddock, we worried, but when you came through the tunnel and hit the paddock, never were all four feet on the ground.  You did your "War Dance" and gave "your eye" to your competition.  Your New York fans were not disappointed-even through the deep quagmire you were in front with Jean Cruguet standing up, whip in hand before the wire.  We were worried and wished for the wire, but Jean was still aboard and you were to make history.

You left our hearts filled with memories, pride, and love.  We celebrated with family and friends across the street at Fasig Tipton, fitting, since I first laid eyes on you that day in the torrential rain in Kentucky at Fasig Tipton.  You were a yearling. We loved first foals, but because of all those two year old winners in your pedigree and Oh-Slew you did have many in yours, Mickey had dog-eared Hip # 128, that My Charmer colt by Bold Reasoning.  You charged out of your stall like you were going places, like you knew your destiny.  It was love at first sight.  I loved your pizzazz, your energy and bone.  You were a great walker and had such a stride, you had a good shoulder and a straight hind leg, but it was your eye-well just beware.  You just looked into the soul.  Paul Mallory knew I was going to buy you.  He knew how many times in that rain I brought people to look at you, yet every time, it was like you later burst out of the starting gate.  You took your lungs full of air; you swelled up and burst out always with a purpose, a faraway look in your eyes.  You knew you were born to love to race with nothing but the horizon in front of you.

We had so many to thank your Belmont day.  Billy Turner, Mike Kennedy, John Polston, Jean Cruguet, Donald Carroll,  Leola and Chet Taylor, Ellen Pearson and Delmar Pearson Sr. and Jr., The Loggers, family, friends, New York Fans and the Slew Crew.  So many others unnamed that had helped you reach your destiny, but it was mostly you, Seattle Slew.

Your spirit, heart and legacy lives on.  We love you Slew.  God Bless You. 

Karen, Mickey and Chet Taylor Slews Gift