I watched the race on TV in 1978. I had no bets of any kind on the race. This was absolutely the most exciting race EVER. I was in awe and emotionally drained at the end of this race. I'm an Affirmed fan. I became one after the Preakness; I didn't side with either one in the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness. Affirmed wasn't the greatest of all time, but no other horse has ever won so often stretched to his absolute limit by another horse.
I always cheer for Alydar in this race even though I know the end result. Both were great horses. Probably my favorite race of all time, even more than Secretariat's win at the Belmont.
If Alydar had won, he'd just be the horse who kept Affirmed from winning the Triple Crown. Instead, everyone remembers him because he would have been the Triple Crown winner if Affirmed hadn't been born the same year. Sometimes history remembers you better if you lose gloriously.
Too bad they don't have Horse racing like this anymore. I remember this race and I was only 14 years old. Can't believe there has not been another triple crown champion!!
Classic confrontations between 2 great horses. Who cares who is better as both proved they were outstanding. I think it is the only time there was the same 1-2 placing in all the Triple Crown events.
@xmi11 - It would have been a coin toss. Sham was equally as fast as both Affirmed and Alydar and all 3 would have tested each other right to the wire. Unfortunately for poor Sham, in 1973 he was matched against the greatest race horse ever who chose the 3 TC races to display his most remarkable unparalleled performances.
Affirmed glided over the track surface more so than any other horse I can think of. Some people don't like Affirmed because he tends to loaf when he's at the front in the stretch. Only Alydar pushed him to go faster in 1978. That's why Alydar is #27 on the Blood-horse top 100 horses of all time.
@thegrouper1 I realize your comment is from quite a while ago, but...you must remember that Affirmed was 3YO when Slew was 4YO...huge difference. Check Affirmed's accomplishments as a 4YO...they were really great.
Check out the Breeder's Cup Classic between Tiznow and Giant's Causeway. That was a very good head-to-head stretch there. Also, the Breeder's Cup Turf between Theatrical and Trampolino, pretty exciting as well. But you're right: the best duel ever is this one between Affirmed and Alydar.
Alydar went for it early after the 2 previous defeats, but Affirmed refused to be beaten. Great jockeyship by Steve Cauthen, a worthy winner in a great race, to be the Triple Crown Champion
I agree, Alydar very special, but as I recall, "Sham" placed second behind Secretariat in all three Triple Crown races as well...but, by many lengths :-) Horrifying tragedy about what happened to Alydar at Calumet farms...
For my money, all three of the triple crown races between Affirmed and Alydar came down to how the jockeys rode them. Each time, Jorge Velasquez had Alydar running outside of Affirmed. Alydar never got to the rail that i can see in all three races. If Steve Cauthen is ridiing Alydar instead of Affirmed, would the triple crown winner have been different in 1978?
earthshine2k -- I'd call this Cauthen's high point. I don't think it was possible for anyone to do more than he did in this race, given his control of the early fractions. :25 for the first quarter, then :50 for the half mile--that's brilliant. If only Dr. Fager had been as biddable as Affirmed was, he would never have been beaten in a race.
What Affirmed did here just does not happen ever. This was a horse that simply refused to get beat. I try believe rider whipping or not he just knew the goal was don't get passed and he wouldn't. Any other year Alydar breezes to a triple crown. Just unreal.
@dun per your advice, I went to 86 Cox plate...nice..but it led me to 1987 Australian Cup Flemington...WOW ,,now that's a nailbiter..still don't know who won that one..lol..and 96 Cox plate is dang good too!! Just one question..why is Moonee Valley's track built around a "Carmax",,gosh that is SO tacky..can you say Saratoga, Hollywood,Belmont-beautiful :)
@eckythimble Disagree they lose to Sham, '73 race tracks were known to be faster than other years so you can't go by time, also other considerations such as Alydar being stuck in traffic in the derby affected his finish and time, with a clear trip he would've pressed Affirmed resulting in a faster time.
![[TH] VALORANT Champions Seoul - Grand Final - EDG vs TH](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/WvObMc9VelI/mqdefault.jpg)
The greatest horse race ever. Noone mentions Affirmed without mentioning Alydar. The triple crown in 1978 in some ways belongs to both.
I watched the race on TV in 1978. I had no bets of any kind on the race. This was absolutely the most exciting race EVER. I was in awe and emotionally drained at the end of this race. I'm an Affirmed fan. I became one after the Preakness; I didn't side with either one in the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness. Affirmed wasn't the greatest of all time, but no other horse has ever won so often stretched to his absolute limit by another horse.
Each race got closer than the last. Incredible finish to an incredible rivalry.
To me this is the best horse race i have seen Affirmed is relentless, one of the great competitors in racing.
I remember being glued to the television during this race... One for the ages!
Any other year, Alydar would have won the triple crown. As far as I'm concerned, Alydar is a champion as well.
I always cheer for Alydar in this race even though I know the end result. Both were great horses. Probably my favorite race of all time, even more than Secretariat's win at the Belmont.
Incredible! Best Belmont and best Triple Crown ever.
If Alydar had won, he'd just be the horse who kept Affirmed from winning the Triple Crown. Instead, everyone remembers him because he would have been the Triple Crown winner if Affirmed hadn't been born the same year. Sometimes history remembers you better if you lose gloriously.
Just like Ali vs Frazier!! Classic! I was 15 in 78' I remember all 3 of those epic races!!
Too bad they don't have Horse racing like this anymore. I remember this race and I was only 14 years old. Can't believe there has not been another triple crown champion!!
Classic confrontations between 2 great horses. Who cares who is better as both proved they were outstanding. I think it is the only time there was the same 1-2 placing in all the Triple Crown events.
@xmi11 - It would have been a coin toss. Sham was equally as fast as both Affirmed and Alydar and all 3 would have tested each other right to the wire. Unfortunately for poor Sham, in 1973 he was matched against the greatest race horse ever who chose the 3 TC races to display his most remarkable unparalleled performances.
Affirmed glided over the track surface more so than any other horse I can think of. Some people don't like Affirmed because he tends to loaf when he's at the front in the stretch. Only Alydar pushed him to go faster in 1978. That's why Alydar is #27 on the Blood-horse top 100 horses of all time.
No, Alydar won't be forgotten, as he was one of the most successful studs ever.
@thegrouper1 I realize your comment is from quite a while ago, but...you must remember that Affirmed was 3YO when Slew was 4YO...huge difference. Check Affirmed's accomplishments as a 4YO...they were really great.
Check out the Breeder's Cup Classic between Tiznow and Giant's Causeway. That was a very good head-to-head stretch there. Also, the Breeder's Cup Turf between Theatrical and Trampolino, pretty exciting as well. But you're right: the best duel ever is this one between Affirmed and Alydar.
Alydar went for it early after the 2 previous defeats, but Affirmed refused to be beaten. Great jockeyship by Steve Cauthen, a worthy winner in a great race, to be the Triple Crown Champion
I wonder if the result would have been the same if Alydar had been on the rail?
My crowning glory in handicapping. I knew Affirmed would win the triple long before the Derby.
this race and 1886 Cox Plate the two best races I think I have ever seen
I agree, Alydar very special, but as I recall, "Sham" placed second behind Secretariat in all three Triple Crown races as well...but, by many lengths :-) Horrifying tragedy about what happened to Alydar at Calumet farms...
Triple crown by a head. Wow
wowowowowowowowowowow!!!!!!!!!!!!!what a race
For my money, all three of the triple crown races between Affirmed and Alydar came down to how the jockeys rode them. Each time, Jorge Velasquez had Alydar running outside of Affirmed. Alydar never got to the rail that i can see in all three races. If Steve Cauthen is ridiing Alydar instead of Affirmed, would the triple crown winner have been different in 1978?
earthshine2k -- I'd call this Cauthen's high point. I don't think it was possible for anyone to do more than he did in this race, given his control of the early fractions. :25 for the first quarter, then :50 for the half mile--that's brilliant.
If only Dr. Fager had been as biddable as Affirmed was, he would never have been beaten in a race.
I agree with the caption, a race for the ages.
Seems like this Triple Crown was the hardest ever!
What Affirmed did here just does not happen ever. This was a horse that simply refused to get beat. I try believe rider whipping or not he just knew the goal was don't get passed and he wouldn't. Any other year Alydar breezes to a triple crown. Just unreal.
@dun per your advice, I went to 86 Cox plate...nice..but it led me to 1987 Australian Cup Flemington...WOW ,,now that's a nailbiter..still don't know who won that one..lol..and 96 Cox plate is dang good too!! Just one question..why is Moonee Valley's track built around a "Carmax",,gosh that is SO tacky..can you say Saratoga, Hollywood,Belmont-beautiful :)
Anyone know what the yellow number mean that are at the bottom of the video?
Alydar never changed leads
Had he went to the opposite lead he would have beaten Affirmed handley
@eckythimble Disagree they lose to Sham, '73 race tracks were known to be faster than other years so you can't go by time, also other considerations such as Alydar being stuck in traffic in the derby affected his finish and time, with a clear trip he would've pressed Affirmed resulting in a faster time.