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Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann
Let's see, what do Run Dusty Run, Sanhedrin, and Iron Constitution have in common, besides being horses most of you never heard of? They placed in Triple Crown races behind Seattle Slew, the first two more than once. Except for J.O. Tobin, who was real head-case with gobs of talent but couldn't be depended on to run his race on the track and not the paddock, his classic generation was not loaded with memorable horses.
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If Seattle Slew had been retired after hs 3YO year ... I would have had grave doubts about calling him "great" ... for the very reasons you cite ... namely pizz-poor opposition.
But his performance as a 4YO wiped away all doubt.
Now here's something which will start an argument ...
I do not consider Ruffian to be rankable among the greats ... I think she was the most electric and talented filly I've ever seen ... but I rate her actual career on the racetrack as "Incomplete" .... because ...
... she only beat an extremely weak crop of fillies her own age ... never beat older fillies ... and never beat colts. She "probably" could have done those things ... but woulda/shoulda/coulda doesn't count.
Just as Seattle Slew had to be doubted after his 3YO season ended early ... so too with Ruffian.