Affirmed, Alydar Race, 1977-1978
Two Rivals Went 4-2 as Two-Year-olds; Eventual TC Champ Won Four
Apr 26, 2007
Connections and Stats: 1978
Awards and Stud Career: Affirmed
1977 - Before the 1978 Triple Crown series was thought of, eventual TC champ Affirmed lost twice to Alydar, his chief rival, in 1977 when the colts were up and coming two-year-olds. In six match-ups with Alydar throughout 1977, Affirmed won four times. The margins of victory were slim and slimmer, except for the very first race between the two, and in the1978 Kentucky Derby.
Alydar's First Race
In Alydar's first career race, Affirmed, racing for just the second time, was the winner, while Alydar finished off the board. That race, the Youthful Stakes at Belmont Park, was the only time in two seasons that either horse did not hit the wire first, or second in their astoundingly close runs.
As two-year-olds, Alydar and Affirmed were not physically matched. Alydar was bigger, with better conformation and muscle development. In addition, Alydar, racing on the East Coast, and trained by John Veitch, was very much a fan favorite. Also in Alydar's favor, it was thought, was his more experienced rider, John Velasquez. Eighteen-year-old Steve Cauthen guided Affirmed.
Veitch Couldn't Stop Affirmed's Inches
Veitch was convinced that Alydar could take Affirmed's measure. He was right. In their second two-year-old race, the two chestnuts met in July in the Great American Stakes, a 3-1/2 length victory for Alydar. Afterwards, Affirmed, under trainer Lazaro Barrera, raced well on the West Coast. In August, the duel heated up. Affirmed drew a win by a few inches in the 6-1/2 furlongs Hopeful Stakes. Two weeks later, the two colts repeated that performance, with the smaller Affirmed inching to the wire ahead of Alydar in the Futurity Stakes.
Alydar Wins a Muddy One
In a muddy Champagne Stakes, Alydar skidded to a head win, making the rivalry 3-2, Affirmed. The Laurel Futurity was the last meeting of the two colts as two-yer-olds. Affirmed found the wire first by a head. Their first year ended at 4-2, Affirmed, with Affirmed winning the Champion Two-year-old Colt award.
1978 - Two outstanding things happened in the three-year-old season of Affirmed and Alydar. It marked the first year ever that the Triple Crown was won for the second consecutive year, Seattle Slew having triumphed as Triple Crown champion in 1977. Secondly, never before had the same two colts finished 1-2 in all three Triple Crown races in a single season.
A sentimental favorite still, Alydar went to the 1978 Kentucky Derby with his connections hoping he could start to even the score with Affirmed, or get the better of him altogether. The Derby, however, turned into a second romp for Affirmed over his rival. He won by 1-1/2 lengths over the hard charging, but late, Alydar.
In the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the triple, the two went neck and neck, nose and nose down the lane. Affirmed's determination and Alydar's game, unrelenting challenge combined to tally one of the closest Preakness runs on record, as well as one of the best remembered. Affirmed's neck victory set him up to tackle the Belmont Stakes for a historic triple try.
Just Better by a Nose
Yet there was still the challenger, Alydar, blocking Affirmed's way with his all professional, give it everything every time sense of business. Affirmed's task was huge. Historical percentage was against him, and Alydar was ready to thwart him.
As good as the Preakness was between the two rivals, the Belmont was spectacular. Again, in the lane, with sunlight turning the two chestnuts into a blur of one dimension, Affirmed pounded to the wire with Alydar hounding him inch for inch. The lead was Alydar's for minimal seconds. In front by a nose, Alydar was unable to kick out the last stride to victory. Affirmed's heart wouldn't crack. He nosed his rival out, and claimed the 11th American Triple Crown championship in thoroughbred history.
