I agree JG was a very good jockey. Credit went to Alydar that the Belmont, and the entire rivalry for that matter was so close. I always thought he (besides his need to change leads) needed a better jockey (Cordero, Pincay, etc). Cauthen a "great" jockey? That's debatable. Two year wonder at best. Went overseas due to slump and couldn't make weight here in States. Never really rode any other horse of note.. JG won 1981 Derby and Preakness, and other top races at least. JMO
Similar to the the 78 Marlboro Cup...Cauthen let Cordero glide Seattle Slew to a 24 second opening quarter and then Slew blistered the last 7 furlongs with Affirmed watching from behind.
One of the best unknown Affirmed/Laz stories was how there was a horse here at Hollywood called Esops Foibles back in 1977. He would later go on to win the Louisiana Derby, as well as the Arkansas Derby-very talented! His connection made the remark in the DRF that it was a good thing for Affirmed that Laz had him in New York as EF was a superstar in the making. Laz then ships Affirmed to Hollywood and he totally destroyed EF in the HWJC.
The key factor in the '78 Belmont was a great horse was allowed to get loose on the lead to a 50:- first half with Alydar a second or more behind to that point. Steve Cauthen (a great jockey) took Jorge Velazquez (a very good jockey) to school in that race. It's a testament to Alydar that he brought the margin down to a photo camera because the race was already lost at the eight furlong pole.
The main reason Affirmed prevailed is that Alydar always had more ground to cover always being on the outside around the turns. If Affirmed hadn't interfered in the Travers when Alydar went to the inside this reality would have been shown.
Thanks for posting this. I'd never seen the full race.
Affirmed obviously got lazy on the inside after putting away the other horses, and Alydar surprised him with a late burst from the outside. There was potential for the same thing in the '78 Derby but Alydar was too far back. In the Preakness and Belmont, Affirmed never lost sight of Alydar and he always prevailed when that was the case.
PatsGiantsSteelerfan Says:
16/11/2011 1:49:21 AM
I agree JG was a very good jockey. Credit went to Alydar that the Belmont, and the entire rivalry for that matter was so close. I always thought he (besides his need to change leads) needed a better jockey (Cordero, Pincay, etc). Cauthen a "great" jockey? That's debatable. Two year wonder at best. Went overseas due to slump and couldn't make weight here in States. Never really rode any other horse of note.. JG won 1981 Derby and Preakness, and other top races at least. JMO
Bassman968 Says:
26/07/2011 6:03:56 AM
Similar to the the 78 Marlboro Cup...Cauthen let Cordero glide Seattle Slew to a 24 second opening quarter and then Slew blistered the last 7 furlongs with Affirmed watching from behind.
edgeacebeaglebrady Says:
19/09/2010 9:58:03 AM
If Affirmed hadn't interfered with Alydar in that Travers, Alydar would have won that race outright. Period
HollywoodParkSteward Says:
29/04/2010 1:13:48 AM
One of the best unknown Affirmed/Laz stories was how there was a horse here at Hollywood called Esops Foibles back in 1977. He would later go on to win the Louisiana Derby, as well as the Arkansas Derby-very talented! His connection made the remark in the DRF that it was a good thing for Affirmed that Laz had him in New York as EF was a superstar in the making. Laz then ships Affirmed to Hollywood and he totally destroyed EF in the HWJC.
easygoer13 Says:
23/05/2008 10:23:13 AM
The key factor in the '78 Belmont was a great horse was allowed to get loose on the lead to a 50:- first half with Alydar a second or more behind to that point. Steve Cauthen (a great jockey) took Jorge Velazquez (a very good jockey) to school in that race. It's a testament to Alydar that he brought the margin down to a photo camera because the race was already lost at the eight furlong pole.
SGrunter Says:
18/05/2008 10:54:23 AM
Affirmed vs. Alydar.........greatest rivalry ever!
xmi11 Says:
7/11/2007 7:12:08 AM
The main reason Affirmed prevailed is that Alydar always had more ground to cover always being on the outside around the turns. If Affirmed hadn't interfered in the Travers when Alydar went to the inside this reality would have been shown.
dcddjc Says:
10/06/2007 6:27:28 AM
What a fight Affirmed vs. Alyday - great history!
Thank you for that video!
AwsiDooger Says:
5/05/2007 1:25:15 PM
Thanks for posting this. I'd never seen the full race. Affirmed obviously got lazy on the inside after putting away the other horses, and Alydar surprised him with a late burst from the outside. There was potential for the same thing in the '78 Derby but Alydar was too far back. In the Preakness and Belmont, Affirmed never lost sight of Alydar and he always prevailed when that was the case.