Exceller vs. Seattle Slew & Affirmed | The Incredible 1978 Jockey Club Gold Cup 🏇

🏇 RACE OF THE WEEK – RELIVED 1978 Jockey Club Gold Cup: Exceller vs. Seattle Slew By WinningStride Every Stride Tells a Story With the Jockey Club Gold Cup returning to Belmont Park this Friday, as part of the opening day of racing at the new Belmont, this week’s Race of the Week takes us back to one of the most unforgettable editions in the race’s history. 1978. Exceller. Seattle Slew. Affirmed. Two Triple Crown winners, a 22 length rally and a finish decided by a nose. On October 14, 1978, Seattle Slew and Affirmed met at Belmont Park in the 1 1/2 mile Jockey Club Gold Cup. Seattle Slew went to the front under Angel Cordero Jr. and set a blistering pace, covering six furlongs in approximately 1:09. Far behind was Exceller. With Bill Shoemaker aboard, Exceller settled well off the pace, at one point approximately 22 lengths behind Seattle Slew. Affirmed’s saddle slipped during the race, taking him out of serious contention. But Seattle Slew kept going. Exceller began eating into the enormous deficit and eventually reached Slew. What followed was a stretch battle between two Hall of Famers. Seattle Slew fought back along the inside. Exceller battled beside him. At the wire, Exceller had won by a nose. With the victory, Exceller became the first horse to defeat two Triple Crown winners in the same race, beating Seattle Slew and Affirmed. But Seattle Slew’s performance in defeat became part of the race’s legend. After setting such a demanding early pace over 1 1/2 miles, he still had enough left to battle Exceller all the way to the finish. Exceller won the race. Seattle Slew made him earn every inch of it. As the Jockey Club Gold Cup prepares to return to Belmont, this is a reminder of the extraordinary history behind the race. 🎥 Video courtesy of NYRA. 💬 Which impressed you more: Exceller’s incredible rally or Seattle Slew’s performance in defeat? #WinningStride #JockeyClubGoldCup #Exceller #SeattleSlew #HorseRacing