| Every sport has its legends. Horse racing is no | | | | coming into the race on top but slowly getting pressure |
| exception. There have been horse legends | | | | from Alydar. Alydar and Affirmed ran neck and neck |
| throughout the years that people still remember and | | | | until the end of the race where Affirmed one with the |
| talk about. One of the most prestigious feats to | | | | stretch of his neck. The last race of the Triple |
| accomplish in horse racing is that of a triple crown. | | | | Crown happened three later at the Belmont Stakes. |
| There have only been a handful or two that have | | | | This was one of the most defining moments in horse |
| done it in the sport and a repeat is even rarer. In | | | | racing history. |
| 1978, there had never been a Triple Crown winner that | | | | After a half mile into the race, the two horses were |
| one back to back. This was the year when horse | | | | already running about neck and neck with Affirmed in |
| racing history was written. Affirmed provided a new | | | | first place. As they reached the final stretch, Alydar |
| record set, and went into the history books. | | | | came right up next to Affirmed. Alydar took the initial |
| The biggest part about this event was the rivalry | | | | lead down the stretch but Affirmed had just enough |
| between Affirmed and competitor Alydar. They met | | | | left in him to come out on top yet again. The crowd |
| at first in 1977 during the Youthful Stakes. Affirmed | | | | cheered and Affirmed secured his Triple Crown |
| came out the winner, but Alydar followed closely | | | | victory. |
| behind and started one of the greatest horse rivalries | | | | Alydar and Affirmed only raced each other one more |
| there has ever been. These 2 year olds slugged it | | | | time and it was at the Travers Stakes in Saratoga. |
| out in almost every other race thereafter. | | | | Affirmed won this race as well but was later |
| Earlier in 1978 Affirmed won all four starts that he had | | | | disqualified for interfering with Alydar earlier in the |
| in California and it set the stage for the three Triple | | | | race. His following performances resulted in two |
| Crown Races. The first of the three races was | | | | more losses but he still won Horse of the Year for his |
| initially dominated by Believe It, while Affirmed held | | | | incredible accomplishments. Affirmed had an |
| back. In the final stretch both Affirmed and Alydar | | | | incredible run during his career, and every horse trainer |
| made a push, but Affirmed came out on top. | | | | is hoping that their mares will compare at some point. |
| The next race was just as breathtaking, with Affirmed | | | | |