slew o'gold euthanized

JJP · #1 10-15-2007, 08:58 PM

Probably one of the most underrated horses in the past 30 years. He was by far the best horse in 1983, the year before the BC, then got beat in a photo on a bad leg in the first BC Classic, one of the greatest finishes I've ever seen.

RolloTomasi · #2 10-15-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJP

Probably one of the most underrated horses in the past 30 years. He was by far the best horse in 1983, the year before the BC, then got beat in a photo on a bad leg in the first BC Classic, one of the greatest finishes I've ever seen.

By far the best of '83? First off, All Along won the Arc de Triomphe, Rothmans International, Turf Classic, and DC International in succession in 3 different countries, all by open lengths , in a span of just 6 weeks.

Secondly, Slew O' Gold, a 3yo in '83, lost every major 3yo race he participated in, namely the Kentucky Derby, Belmont, Haskell, and Travers. He won 2 of 3 starts against his elders, just edging handicap champ Bates Motel (who was shipping in from CA and giving weight) twice, once when winning the Woodward and once when losing the Marlboro Cup to Highland Blade. He got revenge on Highland Blade in the JCGC with a 7lb shift in the weights, his only clear victory of the season in top class company.

He was also beaten a 1/2 length in that BC Classic (not in a photo), albeit with severe trouble.

Who Doctor Who · #3 10-16-2007, 03:01 AM

I agree with JJP. S O' Gold won the Woodward, the Jockey Clup Gold Cup, and just missed sweeping the Fall Championship Series at Belmont as a 3 year old by a head I believe (losing the Marbor Cup), after finishing 2nd in the Belmont that year. Won an eclipse for the 3 year old horse of the year that year. You state all of this above Rollo, but these are facts. All Along was a great animal too which is also a fact, winning some prestigeous races over seas, but who were the next two best horses in the Arc in '83? Bates Motel was not anything to shake a stick at either. Believe he won close to 900k and was an Eclipse Award winner for Champion Older Male. Plus, take it for what it is worth, I believe Slew O was ranked 10-15 slots higher in the Blood Horse's top 100 greatest of the 20th century....

RolloTomasi · #4 10-16-2007, 03:20 AM

Taking into account only 1983 campaigns, Slew O'Gold was not "by far the best". If for no other reason than by the simple fact that he was only a nose and 1/2 length better than Bates Motel who, as I mentioned, was shipping in and giving weight.

From the results of the Fall Championship Series alone, one would have to think that not much seperated Slew O'Gold, Bates Motel, and Highland Blade.

SCUDSBROTHER · #5 10-16-2007, 04:34 PM

Like Angel Cordero just said on ATR, THE '84 BC CLASSIC should have been a double D.Q............When this head steward(Pete Pedersen or whatever his name is)finally passes ,then "I lacked the nad,and it was sad" should be put on his stone.Any intestinal fortitude would have resulted in a double d.q.........It's a stain that will never be fixed.Yes,Steve,find that head-on video,and tell me why they left Pat Day up that day.Why don't ya interview the head ***** in charge that day(Pedersen.)

Danzig · #6 10-16-2007, 06:40 PM

shame that the foot hindered slew o'gold in the inaugural bc, as well as the antics of gate dancer. he would have been a deserving winner.
and not for nothing is slew o'gold in the top 100 of the 20th century. but then, i'm not surprised some aren't impressed with him. there are other dammed good horses that don't get respect from a few.

robfla · #7 10-16-2007, 07:06 PM

JJP · #8 10-16-2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Taking into account only 1983 campaigns, Slew O'Gold was not "by far the best". If for no other reason than by the simple fact that he was only a nose and 1/2 length better than Bates Motel who, as I mentioned, was shipping in and giving weight.

From the results of the Fall Championship Series alone, one would have to think that not much seperated Slew O'Gold, Bates Motel, and Highland Blade.

The only reason Highland Blade beat them both was that Cordero rode the race like a match race and both SOG and BM went wide while Highland Blade scraped the paint at the rail with a perfect trip. As for not winning those big 3 YO race, he probably was best in both the Belmont and Travers.......battling thru 1:11 and change in a 12 furlong race would be just about anyone's undoing and then a head and head battle thru 1:10 1/5 in the Travers and he still was only beaten less than 2 by a perfect trip Play Fellow.

This horse had a damn good two year run.

RolloTomasi · #9 10-16-2007, 08:46 PM

My only contention was that it was reaching to say he was far and away the best horse of '83 when he clearly lost several important starts. Not saying he didn't deserve the 3yo championship, either, but you shouldn't have to make a bunch of excuses for the horse if he was the standout of his crop.

If Cordero was messing up that many times, you'd think they would have got him off that horse. Certainly he didn't ride him any different the following year, and he wasn't having a tough time with the fractions then, which were just as fast if not faster. Then again, he wasn't having to beat up on much in '84, which may explain why the final times were much slower than the year before.

Revidere · #10 10-19-2007, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJP

The only reason Highland Blade beat them both was that Cordero rode the race like a match race and both SOG and BM went wide while Highland Blade scraped the paint at the rail with a perfect trip. As for not winning those big 3 YO race, he probably was best in both the Belmont and Travers.......battling thru 1:11 and change in a 12 furlong race would be just about anyone's undoing and then a head and head battle thru 1:10 1/5 in the Travers and he still was only beaten less than 2 by a perfect trip Play Fellow.

This horse had a damn good two year run.

In fact once the Slew Crew figured out he ran better from off the pace he blossomed. He ran with a rabbit called Mugatea. Slew had a habit of really being rank early and Angel had no choice but let him run. It definitely cost him the Belmont and Travers. I'm always a bit iffy on the Marlboro Cup of 1983. Highland Blade was 10-1 and not highly thought of. Angel knew Bates Motel would come wide. I'm not a big fan of second guessing the ride, although Sidney Watters said it wasn't worth the jocks fee.

The most ironic thing is Angel always said he would have chosen Slew O'Gold to ride in 1982 instead of Slewpy, but the Taylor's and Hills thought Slewpy had the most promise. Slewpy just hated Aqueduct.