Seattle Slew in the Preakness had to overcome post 9 when the Pimlico Course was favoring the rail very strongly. Cormorant was in post one. Slew had to give Cormorant and J O Tobin 18 to 24 ft to the rail from post nine. Cormorant had equalled the track record at Aqu in the Gotham and J O Tobin just missed the track record at Hollywood Pk. Many were saying Seattle Slew would not overcome that distance against the two fastest horses in America. However Slew running as he pleased caught Cormorant quickly and went head and head for over a mile. In fact they ran the mile in 1:34 2/5 fastest mile ever in the Preakness. Such a speed duel should have melted down Slew but it was Cormorant who faded!!. Jean Cruget sat still as a statue into the stretch not pushing Slew at all. Slew won eased up and many said plainly Slew would have beaten Secretariat`s time in the Preakness if pushed in the stretch. But it was not necessary. It would be potentially dangerous to run hard when tired for now breakdowns and injuries can occur. Slew won anyway.
DRF had to admit wow We have underestimated Seattle Slew`s greatness. Cormorants jockey said WE could not out foot Slew. We did our best. We will race from now on where Seattle Slew is not.
Jimmy Jones was present at this Preakness and would say later that night I was lucky enough to be around many greats at Calumet Citation included. But Seattle Slew has shown me all 1`s. And he keeps winning and winning. I am from Missouri and Seattle Slew has shown me something.
Jimmy Jones has put Seattle Slew in a class with Citation.
