The Day Seattle Slew won the Kentucky Derby

American Pharaoh is no Seattle Slew. At least not yet.

It is true that American Pharoah is already a champion. He was named best two-year-old male in American racing last year, just as Seattle Slew was, way back in 1976. And it is true, that this modern day horse, who has been so audaciously compared to one of the all-time greats in Seattle Slew, comes into the 2015 Kentucky Derby on a serious roll. Wins in the Del Mar Futurity, Frontrunner, Rebel, and Arkansas Derby have been scintillating in both winning margin, and visual ease of victory.

Of course, as the only horse to sweep the Triple Crown while still undefeated, Seattle Slew entered the Kentucky Derby as a big favorite, He won his first six races, prior to arriving to Louisville, in impressive, and seemingly, effortless fashion -- much like the last four races of American Pharoah. Races like the Champagne, Flamingo, and Wood Memorial were passed with flying colors. Still there were questions.

I remember the doubting that went on as to whether the son of Bold Reasoning could carry his speed through the demanding ten furlongs of the Derby. Trained by Billy Turner, and ridden by Jean Cruguet, Seattle Slew would do more than that. Put any speed horse into the Kentucky Derby, have them break poorly, a few lengths behind the field, and see what happens. Better than 99 times out of a hundred, said horse would be finished, unable to recover under that kind of pressure. Seattle Slew was different, though. Thrust into adversity that would have crushed almost any horse, Slew was afforded the opportunity to demonstrate what he was truly made of, and it was glorious.

So while American Pharoah has impressed horsemen, clockers, and race fans, both young and old, with his effortless victories, and his powerful presence in morning works, I say wait just one minute. He is not Seattle Slew. At least not yet.

Until he overcomes adversity, as Seattle Slew did so beautifully in the 1977 Kentucky Derby, he is only an impressive young horse who still could be any kind. I’d like to see racing’s next superstar as much as anyone, but it is too soon. It is at least one race too early for the coronation of American Pharoah.

I had the privilege of seeing Seattle Slew in person at 2, 3, and 4, and I remain skeptical about this year’s impressive Kentucky Derby favorite being worthy of the comparison to Slew. Check back with me in a week, and see if I am whistling a different tune.