Flamethrowintexan Wins 4th Straight in Seattle Slew

Flamethrowintexan notched his fourth consecutive victory on Saturday, leading all the way in the $65,000 Seattle Slew Breeders' Cup at Emerald Downs.

Ridden by Ricky Frazier, Flamethrowintexan defeated Pure American by a length in his first start since being claimed for $62,500 on June 24 at Hollywood Park.

The 3-year-old Florida-bred son of Way West out of Willalady covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 4/5 and paid $5, $3 and $2.80.

It was the sixth victory in nine career starts for the Jim Penney-trained gelding. He collected $35,750 to increase his lifetime earnings to $135,025.

After a slow break, Flamethrowintexan, who was named after Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, set fractions of :23, :46 4/5, 1:11 and 1:36 1/5 before fighting off a game Pure American down the lane.

"He's always gotten out of the gate real well, but today he took a step right when the doors open and gave them two or three lengths," Frazier said. "Once he made the lead, I was able to get him to relax. When horses came up to him down the stretch, he just kept digging in."

This marked the first two-turn race for the Flamethrowintexan, who went off as the 3-2 betting favorite.

"He's been a pleasure to train because he shows that class that makes him special," Penney said. "We felt we could get the route with him once we breezed him."

Pure American returned $3.20 and $2.60, while Soccer Dan paid $3.80 to show.

(Chart, Equibase)