Quote:
Originally Posted by Merlinsky
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/hor...aul&id=5231069 Speaking of the Hall of Fame, here's an article talking about Billy Turner's absence. Here's an interview with Billy: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/spor...5/post_24.html
I've heard his drinking discussed in the past with regards to Seattle Slew and the relationship with Slew's owners. I thought some of you might have a more informed opinion about how it affected him as far his HOF status is concerned, if it did at all. Or was it more that losing Slew affected things? They seem to be intertwined a bit. I just know given what it takes for a horse who's good enough to with the Triple Crown to actually do it, it's no small thing to be their trainer, and surely it's grounds to get him on the ballot at the very least.
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The Baseball Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame have lots of guys as members who were not "perfect citizens" for all the years of their lives.
But they played baseball, or football, well.
One of only two Triple Crown winning trainers in the past 1/3+ of century gets him in on my vote.
I LOVE Seattle Slew.
I attended his Preakness, and his Belmont. I was maybe a bit underwhelmed of Seattle Slew's accomplishment in the day because I had an immediate and real time comparison to Secretariat....and then Affirmed.
But, after 34 seasons of racing and Triple Crown misses, I know Billy Turner had to have had a part in what made Seattle Slew special and successful.