Seattle Slew and jockey Jean Cruguet won the 103rd running of the Kentucky Derby on May 7, 1977, at Churchill Downs. Before a crowd of 124,038, the post-time 1-to-2 favorite overcame an atrocious start, blasted his way into contention to duel for the lead and held off late challengers Run Dusty Run, outside, and Sanhedrin, inside. For his Derby victory, Seattle Slew earned $214,700 from a purse of $267,200. Adjusted for inflation, that first-prize money would be $865,000 today. The 2017 Derby winner will take home $1.425 million of a $2 million purse. After winning the Preakness Stakes two weeks later, the dark-brown Kentucky-bred colt won the Belmont Stakes by four lengths, making him the sport’s 10th Triple Crown winner and the first to do so with an undefeated career record. He would finish his 17-start career with a record of 14-2-0. After those 14 wins in 17 races, he retired to stud in 1978 at Lexington’s Spendthrift Farm. He is one of only 11 Kentucky Derby winners to sire a Derby winner (Swale, 1984). Twenty-five years to the day after he won the Kentucky Derby, Seattle Slew died at age 28. Photo by Frank Anderson | Staff