Landaluce: The Story of Seattle Slew's First Champion

Landaluce was a two-year-old filly who won the Hollywood Lassie Stakes by 21 lengths, setting a record that still stands. She died in her stall at Santa Anita four months later, the victim of a swift and mysterious illness. In Landaluce: Forever a Champion, Mary Perdue explores the story of the filly and the lives and careers of the breeders, owners, and trainer, as well as her famous sire, Seattle Slew.

Format: Hardback
Length: 346 pages
Publication date: 12 July 2022
Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky

In 1982, Landaluce emerged as a national celebrity, captivating the hearts of racing enthusiasts nationwide. In her second start, just one week after claiming her maiden victory, the two-year-old filly astounded the racing world by winning the Hollywood Lassie Stakes by a staggering 21 lengths. This remarkable margin of victory remains the largest ever achieved by a two-year-old in any race at Hollywood Park. Landaluce was poised to become the next American super-horse, destined to rewrite racing history. However, those dreams were tragically cut short when the two-year-old died in her stall at Santa Anita four months later, victim to a swift and mysterious illness. Today, the once-ubiquitous I Love Luce bumper stickers have faded into obscurity, and Landaluce has largely been forgotten.

In her captivating book, Landaluce: Forever a Champion, Mary Perdue delves into the remarkable story of a filly whose short but extraordinary racing career had the potential to revolutionize the sport forever. Perdue also takes readers on a journey into the lives and careers of the breeders, owners, and trainer involved, as well as her renowned sire, Seattle Slew. From breeder Leslie Combs, who transformed Spendthrift Farm into a 4,000-acre powerhouse, standing over 40 of the most prized stallions in the country, to trainer D. Wayne Lukas, whose stable of racehorses has been winning races for nearly forty years, Landaluce's brief stint at the top of the sport offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of racing history.

Perdue's work goes beyond a mere recitation of Landaluce's accomplishments or an investigative piece probing the mystery of her death. Instead, she delves deeper into the ways in which one filly captured the imagination of racing fans across the country and set the stage for another filly turned super-horse, Zenyatta, in the decades to come. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Perdue transports readers not only through Landaluce's two years on earth but also across decades of horse racing history, from the Great Depression to the 1980s, from Kentucky to California, from breeding sheds to euthanasia wards.

Landaluce's story is a testament to the enduring power of the horse and the profound impact it can have on the lives of those who love and care for them. It reminds us of the fleeting nature of fame and the bittersweet nature of success, as well as the enduring legacy of those who leave their mark on the racing world. Whether you are a seasoned racing enthusiast or a newcomer to the sport, Landaluce: Forever a Champion is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the heart and soul of horse racing and the incredible animals that inhabit it.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813195537