Affirmed - 1978 Belmont Stakes

[mshobohorse]

I wonder if we will ever see another triple crown winner...

[burningrosegirl98]

Why can't racing be like this now? I think I was born in the wrong time.

[xxcrystlecityxx]

@burningrosegirl98 i know right!

i wish i could of seen ruffian race!

[brunoaltimino]

@burningrosegirl98 Probably because the breed has been mismanaged where there has been an emphasis of breeding speed to speed. Back in those days, they would usually breed a fast sire line to a stamina mare line. That is exactly what gave us Secretariat, great speed from the sire, Bold Ruler and stamina from the Princequllo line on the bottom. Those are called nicks and the lines have become so blurred that it is hard to tell the nicks apart. Mr. Prospector is a culprit.

[ParkAvenueDanielle]

@brunoaltimino Lasix is the real culprit. Many of the top lines from the 1970s and 1980s have disappeared from pedigree influence, while the "lasix lines" of Mr. Prospector and Norther Dancer and their get have taken over. As lasix is being weeded out of many stakes events in the coming years, that should wreak havoc with the breed, this time in a good way.

[DartsRme312]

guy wasn't that excited that affirmed just won the triple crown...i guess it was "old hat" since slew won the y ear before LOL

[Forego2001]

Affirmed was an incredible horse. Without a doubt he had as big a heart as any horse in history. It would have been great to see him race against Seattle Slew and Spectacular Bid if all were 4 and carrying the same weight. Good luck picking the winner of that one!

[bubblinbrownsugar616]

Okay never seen this before but knew the outcome........Good God that's what I call a RACE!!!! WOW!!!

[gotch09]

Now, THAT'S what I call a cliff hanger!

[rscarbro100]

Two remarkable horses. Two of the best that ever hit the race track. Alydar was born the wrong year pretty much like Sham in 1973. They will never be a decade like the 70's. Riva Ridge, Secretariat, Sham, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Alydar & the great Spectacular Bid. WOW

[joefederico]

Even with the slow early pace anyone can see that both Affirmed and Alydar were on equal ground here. There was no victim losing because of a slow pace, something Alydar fans may have used in the past. I am not degrading Alydar in any respect. This race was exactly how Chic called it just about at the 1/2 mile poll. Speed duel and just about a match race now. Affirmed gets the TC title but both were champion racehorses and, arguably, deserved of each being a TC winner in most other years.

[Sami13p]

How long has it been? Thirty-some years??? mabye Lookin at Lucky will have a shot...

[gotch09]

Who rode Affirmed in the TC? I found a interview with Lefit Pincay (who rode Sham against Secretariat) where he said he had the privelige to ride Affirmed. He said it was the smoothest ride he ever rode. Riding Affirmed as opossed to a regular racing horse was like the difference between a Rolls Royce and a VW.

[cf1970]

Steve Cauthen rode Affirmed in the Triple Crown.

[Ringobjingo]

The ride.

[thelongshot99]

this is the greatest race i ever saw. i was on my dad's shoulders and i was 8 yrs old. This was racing's finest hour. My friends and family laugh at me for my live of racing but when you see Slew, Affirmed, Forego, and the Bid in the span of 4 years its impossible not to be a fan.

's

[furlongfractions]

@gotch09 Steve Cauthen rode Affirmed in all three Triple Crown races.

[CPProductions13]

@gotch09

Steve Cauthen rode Affirmed in the Triple Crown.

[joeysal77]

@gotch09 18 year Steve Cauthen rode Affirmed in all three legs, he eventually lost the mounts to Lafit Pincay when he went on a cold spell. Steve Cauthen is the youngest jockey ever to win the Triple Crown. Affirmed, 29 lifetime races, 22 firsts 5 seconds 1 third. Only out of the money once. Great book titled 'Affirmed' by Leo Sahadi just came out, I read it, very good story.

[barbaroluver1996]

i love the Battle Affirmed and Alydar had it was soo impessive how those to went togther but is seems like affirmed always got the best of alydar! affirmed is a geat horse and he really had the stuff to be a triple crown winner!

i love you affirmed

[shaffi1]

As a UK racing fan may i say thank you for posting this amazing video of what i would say is the best head to head horse race i have ever seen.

Our race of the century "Grundy v Bustino" is a hell of a race, but this is something else! Feel sorry for Alydar but Affirmed! i thing his motto should be "thou shalt not pass" !

Fantastic race!

[madmax797]

this is awesome..thx for posting

[bailinnumberguy]

The first 1/2 mile of this race was run in a ridiculously slow :50 seconds. Affirmed and Alydar both had a full tank of gas for the classic duel over the last half of the race. One of the best Belmont's ever...

[bigjoetube]

The best race ever...................

[pleasantcolony]

Affirmed just had Alydar's number. Aff. could look Alydar in the eye & tell him not today. Everytime I watch this race it looks like Alydar is finally going to pull it out. It looks to me he had some left for 1 last surge at the wire. I wish more horses today had heart & guts like these two had. Hats off to the joy these two competitors brought us! Simply amazing!

[gotch09]

Agreed.

[BMenutes]

I still get chills and tears come to my eyes as I watch this. I saw the Triple Crown won on tv when I was 11yrs old and have yet to see a horse that could equal half the heart those two had.

[Farrah300]

Alaydar and Affirmed was one of the greatest rivalries in horse racing history

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

Wow great race. i'm just getting into watching all these old races though I've been a race fan for many years and grew up going to Churchill.

Affirmed rocked. but in that Belmont it seems that who ever was on the inside was going to win. Alydar was fighting an impossible battle by having to run further than Affirmed

[Daleu56]

La Gloria siempre se la lleva el ganador,,,,,,,pero Alydar demostro ser un gran caballo de carrera y merece todo el reconocimiento de toda la aficion,,,,Gran caballo Alydar

[televin]

affirmed was the gamest horse I ever saw..almost impossible to pass if going head and head.

[tammyfitz1]

I cannot believe how absolutley extraordinary those two horses were. I have the Breyer Affirmed and its one of my faveorites!

[starzinliberty]

Steve Cauthen was a master at the pace and controlled it early on, playing his riding cards well. He and Vasquez knew not to ride wildly early on. Alydar and Affirmed knew each other and paced themselves well for what lay ahead of them in this race, with the help of their very skilled riders. What a rivalry! BTW - Affirmed and Alydars relationship were similar to Seabiscuits and War Admirals (son & grandson of Man O War), A & A were son (Alydar) and grandson (Affirmed) of Raise A Native.

[STU676]

one of the 3 or 4 classic races EVER

[thelongshot99]

greatest race i ever saw. i was 9 years old on my dad's shoulders at belmont park that day. my mom still asks me why i love racing. not as good as it once was but i saw Seattle Slew, Affirmed,Alydar,Spectacular Bid in the course of 3 years. That is a childhood impression no one can ever forget.

[thelongshot99]

I was at Belmont that day on my dad shoulders when i was 9 years old. The best race i ever saw. The Silver Charm Preakness is a close 2nd. My dad is gone and my mom still asks why i still love racing. Well when you see Seattle Slew beat Affirmed twice, Exceller beat Slew, Affirmed vs Alydar, and Affirmed dust Specatular Bid during your childhood, YOU CAN NEVER FORGET how beautiful this sport once WAS!!!

[Legacy383]

At thoroughbreed(dot)com I posted a picture of Affirmed that I took at Jonabell Farm a few months before he died. R.I.P. great champion.

[cf1970]

Wonderful picture of Affirmed; he looked great. Thanks for the info.

[starzinliberty]

Yes indeed, wonderful pic. One of the best I've seen of him during retirement. You can definitely see his Man O' War ancestry in him in this pic. He was truly a great horse and amazing and I always thought he had a close resemblance to the original Big Red. He had amazing heart. Affirmed and Sec's Belmont are the best and most exciting.

[starzinliberty]

Beautiful picture, great champion looks in his eyes (look of eagles and wisdom). He always resembles Man O'War, especially here in his color and markings. Affirmed was very intelligent with so much heart!

[starzinliberty]

Great pic... he looks like his ancestor Man O' War a bit, especially in this pic. Such a smart horse, wise with look of eagles here. thanks for sharing... good photography!

[wolfdawg54]

This rivalry is the finest in all of sports. Period.

[castlestar99]

Sunday Silence And Easy Goer was a good rivalrie 2

[lengua92]

yeas there have been many...alysheba and bet twice, dr fager and damascus, silver charm and free house...

[bigbrownluver]

man i love that horse he is one of my favs i hopeoneday me an one of my hosres can follow in his hoof steps

[sargeanthulka]

The greatest head-to-head battle in the history of sports, bar none.

[mylegsareswollen]

Ali-Frazier/Affirmed-Alydar

The two best rivalries of all time.

[RuffianQueenOfRacing]

@sargeanthulka i think winning colors and personal ensigns race in the mud was one of the greatest battles!

[quarf53206]

Looks like one more year without a triple crown winner

[directorwvp2]

OOOPS! 54 Seconds is when they hit the next gear

[directorwvp2]

2:37 If you study it real carefully, you'll see the lead horses hit another gear at precisely this moment. AMAZING!!!

[gregarious24]

At 2:37, the lead horses have already crossed the finish line and are out of the frame.

[therock401]

Affirmed and Alydar change gears at 1:10 and go at each other.

Definitely the best head-to-head horserace ever, with the 1989 Preakness (Sunday Silence vs. Easy Goer) a close second.

[xmi11]

The 3rd fastest Belmont of all time, also still root for Alydar every time I watch this, one of the most underrated horses ever

[mzeb75]

Two great horses always seemed to be neck in neck.

[ssredfoxx]

Yep, I agree. Still find myself hollering for Alydar though. Then, I just read the article "The Killing of Alydar". I never knew. Pretty horrifying. Will make your blood boil. RIP Alydar.

[Sight19]

Both horses where good. Don't forget that Alydar was second in all three races. The only horse to do that.

[eme456]

Are there only five horses in the race?

[duckhunterjon]

It's amazing how much the horses have changed in the past 30 years... even further back than that actually...Horses just aren't as tough as they used to be... We got a chance to see another triple crown winner the seventh of next month

[knullabulla]

I remember those races so well. Does anyone think a new Triple Crown Winner is possible?

[ShadowedWolfen]

I do.

[ridingxruffian]

I don't think I've ever seen two horses run that fast. I honestly don't.

[Zooropa420]

Who the hell are those people on the infield jumping up and down at the wire, and how did they get to be in such a great spot? That looks like fun! I'm calling dibs right now on that spot when I go see the Belmont on June 7. Too late, I called it first!

[raygordon]

The greatest race of all time, if you consider the rivals, the quality, the stakes of the race, the length of the duel, and the margin of victory.

From one of the greatestrivalries of all time.

[cdputzier]

Every time I watch this race, I get a deeper sense that affirmed was just player with Alydar. And I do believe Alydar was a great horse.

[all4pharlap]

affirmed won pretty much evrey race when he had to VS adyler

[bf160001]

Not to take anything away from the horses, but thinking in terms of riding strategy; I still think that Jorge having drawn inside of Cauthen, gave away too big an advantage in the early going.

[knullabulla]

You know your racing!

[BlancoConHuevos]

Affirmed owned Alydar. Affirmed being the best of the west, and Alydar being the beast from the east provided the perfect match up. I went to Caliente (where at that time you could play house exactas) and I bet'em right in the triple crown. Alydar was much better in the breeding shed as Affirmed's offspring mostly loved the turf

[ALYSHEBANDTHEBID]

Affiremed was well trained; he did the same thing to SpecBid,B.Shomkr was so upset n said that he din't know how slow the pace was, See the article"Cauthen:A born winner" Had alydar run 45.5 fraction they will both lose the match:Iam glad they didn't throw in a rapit for alydar it would have get the job done, but not give him the respect he has now,Alydar was always unlucky the time that he was to shine was 1978 JockyCGcup, Everything favored alydar that day,S.Slew n affirmed burn each others.

[yomamadontdanz]

who would think the 78 belmont would be steve cauthens last triple crown victory???i thought hed be the next arcaro...

[yomamadontdanz]

great call by chic anderson,stevie cauthen was king for a day thirty years ago...man how time passes us by!

[cf1970]

Couldn't agree with you more! Classic stuff!

Time...I'm really beginning to hate it!

Take care.

[cjrlee]

Upon autopsy, Secretariat had a heart two and a half times the size of any racehorse. He processed oxygen very effeciently the vets said.

However I know Steve Cauthen so he and Affirmed thrilled me and their Triple Crown victories still stand as the last time.

[ALYSHEBANDTHEBID]

Sham had a big heart: it didn't help him: it is how a horse competes n trained period; Secretaritat was good, big heart or no big heart; what do u say about Dr. Fager carrying top weight n running like a sprinter for distance more than 7 furlong; i wont deny some horses have more distance in them than others but that is logic right,

[AnimeCountDown]

Sham wa a GRAEAT horse, the second horse to run the Derby in under two minutes, he was just born in the wrong year and had to compete with the greatest racehorse that ever lived

[ALYSHEBANDTHEBID]

i am not sure what you are trying to say; all i was trying to say is that big heart or not a horse can win any race; who said anything about greatest horse....of your choice

[FORESTDONS]

you are 100% right and sham would have been second in the belmont if he had saved some energy since the big red was out of this world on that day.People always remembered alydar more but sham should be more respected coz it was a pity he was born in the same time with the greatest horse of all time.

[knullabulla]

I remember them both.

[AdamJLemon]

Affirmed had the biggest heart of any racehorse ever...Alydar had him at the 1/8th pole but Affirm dug deeper and wanted it more. He was pure heart.

[Kostly]

Wow what a tear jerking effort by Alydar. They're both great horses. Even knowing the outcome I feel myself trying to will Alydar on. I can see how everyone fell in love with Alydar. The only horse with the ability and will to test Affirmed.

[nuness20]

When I saw the race live in 1978, I said to my mother it was the best race I ever saw.

Nearly 30 years later, nothing has changed my mind.

[bharlowc]

I agree, but Ghostzapper and St. Liam in the '04 Woodward came close.

[bharlowc]

I forgot to add, how often to you see a race like this between 2 future horses of the year and the fractions and final time were eye-popping.

[sgtjeff56]

I felt the same way until I saw Personal Ensign beat Winning Colors in the Breeders Cup.

[illusionsofgray]

I can't believe that horse did a quarter in 19 seconds. Especially a distance horse. that was so freaking close, i'll bet you anything that horse would have lost if Laffit didn't have that massive club he called his whip, lol

[cf1970]

Last night, youtube was doing some maintenance and when the features were FINALLY restored, I removed a comment accidentally.

To the person that was asking if it was Chic Anderson calling this race, you are absolutely correct. His style here was somewhat different to his '73 Triple Crown calls.

Again, I'm sorry about the deletion of your comment.

[davemock]

This is the one Anderson called his best and toughest of his career. He was always more deliberate at the start of a race when his voice was on the PA system (as he was here and in the '73 Derby) than he was on TV only. In the '73 Preakness and Belmont he pounced on the pace from the start.

[davemock]

And for those racing fans wondering why you don't hear Chic Anderson calling "Affirmed won it!" on this tape - Dave Johnson told me track announcers at the time were discouraged from making the final victory call on the PA mic. The racecaller could make that statement on a network or local broadcast, as Anderson did on the CBS broadcast. Check out the '78 Jockey Club Gold Cup on YouTube and the difference between the NYRA and CBS tapes.

[k7m4]

damn i dont think i ever watched this race in its entirety, they battled over half the race, how awsome! the greates rivals weve ever seen! i dont think any two horses will ever match it. youve got to give some credit to the breeding, affirmed a son of raise a native, and alydar and grandson.

[ALYSHEBANDTHEBID]

it is the other way around alydar is the son of Raise a Native and you r right about (crediting of the breeding) Native Dancer line is still dominating all the races. i say probably without Native Dancer the breeding quality of thoroughbred would have been weak, Native Dancer daughter also produce Northern Dancer better known as Sire of Sires.

[k7m4]

oops, i always get those two confused hehe:) Affirmed is by exlusive native. yeah i know, those two horses are incredible as sires, and as runners. i think i read that 90% of todays thoroughbreds can be traced to northern dancer.

[ALYSHEBANDTHEBID]

you mean Darley Arabian;

[spinfin]

what a race between rivals.

[Jugg3rnut]

what a DRAMATIC race, running side by side nearly half the race...its very surreal...in almost any other year alydar would have won the triple crown

[AdamJLemon]

Affirmed lost the lead twice in the stretch and still won..that's the definition of heart.

[atreju1979]

he only thing that bothers me is that Alydar almost never runs on his left lead! He's always on his right lead, which means he's pushing the bulk of his weight off the rear left leg the entire race, and this tires a horse! All straight-aways should be run on the left lead as much as possible for horses, and this was never the case with Alydar. I just wonder how much more he would have had in the tank if he had been properly trained.

[atreju1979]

Oops, please inverse what I said, Alydar almost never runs on his RIGHT lead, and straight-aways should be run on the RIGHT lead (when their front right leg and rear leg are extended in front of the opposing leg) Oh, and still the pushing off with left hind foot applies, see, I knew what I meant! Sorry! Also, notice Affirmed nicely switch to his right lead in the straight-away in this race.

[cf1970]

Great points, I never watched Alydar that closely.

If he had changed leads properly, he just might have denied Affirmed the Preakness or Belmont.

Thanks for the valuable info.

Take care.

[otreblazap]

One of the best races of all time. Jorge Velasquez had no other option to challenge Affirmed early this time.

Another one race like this was the Preakness were Sunday Silence beat Alydar´s son Easy Goer.

[NJNetFan]

Wow, what a race.

[yankeesfan484]

that was a good race dude! kinda poor tv graphics tho lol

[thelanceman]

Best race of all time!  Affirmed just that much better than Alydar. When will we ever see the triple crown again???

[derbydreamer103]

Thank You !! I never get tired of seeing the best two horse race .. ever !!

[bddc1121]

THANK YOU!!!

[cf1970]

You are most welcome. Glad you enjoyed the video. Take care.

[horsecrazy11]

I think its funny how affirmed always won against alydar. the biggest match races of all time

[cf1970]

Very true. They were pretty much equals, but Affirmed just seemed to have the goods for whatever reason when it counted most. I loved those horses. Take care.

[eaglesfanalways]

the funny thing is both Sham and Alydar were probably good enough to win triple crowns in most years. They just were 3 year olds at the wrong time

[cf1970]

Yep, I agree totally. Talk about bad timing. Both horses had tremendous ability that was sorely overlooked by the voters for the horse of the century poll. I would put Sham in at least the top 15 and Alydar in the top 20 based on ABILITY alone, NOT record. Bold statement, I know, but in reality, winning race records can be very deceiving at times. Thanks for posting. Take care.

[horsecrazy11]

I know what you mean. But you take care too.

[babahanz]

What a fantastic race this was! Honestly, it is my second favorite Belmont, only trailing Secretariat in 1973. Even though I wasn't even born yet, this race is still unique to me as it occured on the same day that my parents got married.

[cf1970]

I agree, great stuff this. This rivalry is close to the Sunday Silence/Easy Goer duel, I'm not sure which one I like more now. I think I'll choose not to choose! I love both rivalries! Secretariat and Sham were right up there too! Just imagine if Sham would have been sound to continue on through the fall campaign. Man, what could have been! Great memory about your parents. Thanks for sharing. God bless.

[diegoms2000]

TKS FOR THIS INCREDIBLE VID MAN !!!!

[cf1970]

You're very welcome. I love the way they pushed each other to the wire. Take care.

[smadonna]

I graduated from high school the day before this race, it brinks back memories.

It was the last Belmont called by the great Chic Anderson.

[cf1970]

Ah...high school grad. I miss those days. It's very fitting that Chic called this classic battle as his last Belmont. A legendary race for a legendary racecaller. Take care.