1978 Kentucky Derby - Affirmed -vs- Alydar

[@raekiesha]

Everything about this race is a true classic - what a race, what a jockey, what great horses, Jim McKay - what a legend broadcaster - great trip down memory lane

[@georgiagirl1961]

Affirmed, Alydar, wow great memories. 18 year old home boy riding to victory. What a day to be at the track.

[@CAPTMAHI]

Howard Cosell calls him "the kid' and "the boy"

[@anthonymrbs]

Miss Jim McKay. He was the best.

[@pajasa62]

Yes, from his epic Olympics and Indianapolis 500 calls and to hosting other sports events, he really was one of the very best.

[@lbl9066]

Yes, I agree with both 100%

[@josephhale9198]

I miss ABC back then.

[@josephhale9198]

Dave Johnson was too

[@giovannilcastelli2439]

There was no better narrator then Mr Jim McKay with such facility and knowledge of the racing industry and I would says is been the very best I'm sorry 😔 not see him no more ,today's the races are not the same he put so much enthusiasm on every event ,god bless Mr McKay wherever it is,I'm miss deeply.RIP the one and only just like secretariat.

[@dcgrrl321]

Cauthen's interview with Cosell here showed how well he knew his horse. He says Affirmed doesn't win impressively because he gets complacent without competition. "But, if challenged, he'll run right to the wire with anybody." That, in a nutshell, is the story of the 1978 Triple Crown.

[@stevenandlorettataylor4371]

Remember this race like it was yesterday. Horses like Affirmed and Alydar only come around a few times. One of the greatest triple crown years ever. Long live the memory of Affirmed and Alydar.

[@2taggs2]

Compared to the other videos of this race - this is super clear. Great upload.

[@DFUK83]

Steve Cauthen absolute legend and one of sporting heros and a total gentleman, met him many times in uk

[@CAPTMAHI]

What a race! I forgot how big this was at the time.

[@jdm3770]

I was there in 76 and this race in 78. Only two times...What great memories.

[@urbanothepopeofdeath]

I was there in '78. we drove down from Ohio while in college. I have a $2 winning ticket. It's worth about $2. lol

[@Caroni100]

@@urbanothepopeofdeath Congratulations! What an interesting fact! You have an interesting anecdote to tell your grandchildren 😉😊😏😎😃😀🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇 Best regards from Venezuela

[@Caroni100]

According to the Bloodhorse Magazine "100 Top U.S. Racehorses of the XX Century" Affirmed (February 21, 1975 - January 12, 2001) is ranked in 12th. position. 29 starts, 22 winns, 5 seconds, 1 third place and US$ 2,393,818 earned. 11th. U.S. Triple Crown Champion, American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt in 1977, American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse in 1978, American Champion Older Male Horse in 1979 and American Horse of the Year in 1978 and 1979. Affirmed was inducted to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1980. What an extraordinary horse! Regards from Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela.

[@Caroni100]

Steve Cauthen was eighteen (18) years old whenhe became the youngest jockey to win "Run for the Roses" a record that no other jockey has broken yet. He was born on May 1st. 1960. Greetings from Venezuela!

[@lindsaygriffin5807]

He was the youngest to win the Triple Crown but the youngest confirmed Derby winning jock was Bill Boland in 1950 at age sixteen. Nineteenth-century heroes may have been younger but their birth dates cannot always be confirmed.

[@Caroni100]

@@lindsaygriffin5807 William "Bill " Boland, the youngest Kentucky Derby winning jockey aboard Middleground, trained by Max Hirsch and owned by King Ranch. What an interesting racehorse fact! Thank you very much for posting! Bill Boland won 2,049 races and was inducted to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2006. Best regards from Venezuela.

[@billygiamou7435]

Howard Cosell and Jim McKay have a way of calling a race that is simply unforgettable.

[@jgkern74]

I was down there and never was able to see this telecast. Thanks for posting! By the way, I bet $500.00 on Affirmed.

[@joshct9426]

John that is awesome to know! I hope all is well.

[@stovalish6]

Would love to go to any triple crown race. Someday....thanks for sharing, sweet horse.

[@qhsperson]

Affirmed was one of the most professional race horses I've ever seen, if you know what I mean. No fuss, no drama--just get the job done.

[@rugger104]

Amazing footage- thanks for the upload!

[@JhenDArcy]

I was a kid when the Affirmed/Alydar rivalry happened. My parents owned racehorses and I was expected to become a jockey (I ended up becoming a rock musician instead, lol) but I will never forget the rivalry of these 2 beautiful and amazing horses. 3 weeks ago I adopted a kitten.... And named him Alydar. I've lost count of how many times I've had to explain his name, but I still love relaying the legacy of these 2 incredible horses. 💖💖

[@walterhager1264]

I didn't think nothing about it at the time but I grew up around affirmed when he was a stud at jonabell farm. I used to love saying I grew up around the last triple crown winner.

[@bishlap]

Affirmed is the last triple crown warhorse. What I mean is: He did not retire w/ 7 races under his belt like today's jack-rabbits, in fact, Affirmed still holds the grade 1 total wins, 18? and over 20 stakes wins. Yes. a WARHORSE.

[@carlykaiser]

This is awesome, partymanners. Thank you!

[@WyattJames2025]

1 Speed 2 Stamina 3 HEART

[@luvbft1]

Affirmed is my favorite horse, I was 14 when he won the triple crown.

[@depaola63]

I was 15 in 78' a classic era in sports!!

[@MarcHenriDupont]

Bravo Steve Cauthen My good friend

[@trinalaios734]

McKay & Cosell. As classic as Affirmed

[@ernestovillarreal7054]

Estas tres Carreras de la triple corona que ganó AFIRMED son inborrables por los grandes duelos con Aldylar.

[@Caroni100]

Affirmed (21 de Febrero, 1975 - 12 de Enero, 2001) * Padre: Exclusive Native * Abuelo paterno: Raise a Native * Madre: Won´t Tell You * Abuelo materno: Crafty Admiral * Sexo: Semental * Criador & Propietario: Harbor View Farm / Camisa rosada; Mangas negras con brazaletes blancos; Gorra negra * Entrenador: Lazaro Barrera (Q.E.P.D.) * Jinetes: B. Gonzalez (De 1-1) Ángel Cordero Jr. (De 2-1) Laffit Pincay Jr. (De 10-9) Steve Cauthen (De 17-11) * 29 Salidas * 22 Primeros * 5 Segundos * 1 Tercero * 1 Quinto * $ 2,393,818 producidos ($ 9,693,241 actuales) * 11er. Ganador de la Triple Corona de Estados Unidos (1978) * Campeón dosañero en Estados Unidos 1977 * Campeón Tresañero en Estados Unidos 1978 * Caballo Campéon de 4 y más Años en Estados Unidos 1979 * Caballo del año en Estados Unidos 1978 & 1979 * Exaltado al Museo Nacional de las Carreras y Salón de la Fama en 1980 * Número 12 en la "Lista de los 100 Mejores Caballos de Carrera del Siglo XX en Estados Unidos" de la revista The Bloodhorse * Affirmed Handicap en el Hipódromo Hollywood Park (Desde 1979) * Clásico Affirmed en el Hipódromo Calder Race (Desde 1983) * Calle Affirmed en Napa, California, Estados Unidos * ¡Descansa En Paz, Campeón! ¡Siempre te recordaremos! * Saludos desde Venezuela

[@kevinmichael686]

Affirmed was one of the fittest thoroughbreds we’ve seen, he had to be in order to hold off a stud like Alydar. I still say the Derby was Alydar’s best shot at Affirmed; the jockey had him too far off the hot pace, IMO.

[@josephfollo7530]

Alydar's Preakness was a better race.

[@tizfrreecharm]

Great digest version of the ABC broadcast. Super personalities, prescient comments and I'm pretty sure The Kid had just turned 18 about a week earlier. Was there a greater sustained (9 races) rivalry than Affirmed-Alydar? I say 'nay' (neigh?)

[@Caroni100]

"The Kentucky Derby? There's no an adjective able to describe its greatness" Jose Gregorio Guillot, venezuelan horse racing analyst and radio producer

[@erichauck5747]

Laffit said Affirmed was the best horse he ever rode

[@Caroni100]

Con dieciocho (18) años recién cumplidos, Steve Cauthen se convirtió esa tarde en el jinete más joven en ganar "La Carrera de las Rosas". Un record todavía vigente !Saludos desde Venezuela!

[@Gary-xg9px]

Steve Cauthen. What a great jockey. Young and intelligent when he won the Triple Crown. He sure new AFFIRMED.

[@MarcHenriDupont]

Bravo Steve

[@JhenDArcy]

It should be noted that Affirmed and Alydar were cousins, both were grandsons of Native Dancer.

[@peacethroughstrength172]

Ahhhh Affirmed and Alydar, first and second in all 3 that year. I loved Alydar, he was a fighter! That pic of him looking at Affirmed is one for the ages.

[@Caroni100]

"It's been said racing encompasses hours of agony and moments of glory. But moments like the 1978 Triple Crown inspire the pursuit of greatness" Steve Cauthen (May 1, 1960 - ) Hall of Fame Jockey Greetings from Venezuela. "Se ha dicho que las carreras abarcan horas de agonía y momentos de gloria" Pero momentos como la Triple Corona de 1978 inspiran la búsqueda de la grandeza" Steve Cauthen (1ro. Mayo, 1960 - ) Jinete del Salón de la Fama Saludos desde Venezuela.

[@ericday4505]

This is one of the sports that has sort of remained pure. Somewhat, this was the start of something really big as we came to find out, great time to be a fan here, I was just starting to follow the sport.

[@TheJustjim3333]

pure? it's drug infested!!!

[@ericday4505]

Running Down a Dream I said somewhat pure, yes you are right, there is drugs involved.

[@theredbaronlives9889]

I got to meet Alydar when I was a kid,he liked candied apples. Beautiful animal. can't be proven but I believe Alydar was killed for insurance$. He was still producing winners at stud though so...who really knows.Affirmed and Alydar gave us a great tc.

[@annpino5005]

In any other year, Alydar would have been a Triple Crown winner. Sometimes two great horses are simply born in the same year. Congrats to you for getting to meet a real champion, even if he didn't get to have his name in lights.

[@boxcarent.3147]

The owner was a dirty scumbag, who took over for long time classy owners his parents. He probably owed money to the mob and they threatened his family, so he killed Alydar breaking his legs you get insurance money.

[@MintChip421]

I have a grandson of Alydar, he’s the sweetest boy one could ask for

[@karaamundson3964]

For 10 years, I lived just blocks from Churchill Downs, and the storms always blew in off the Knobs to the northeast, dumping rain exactly on my neighborhood and skipping other parts of Louisville

[@jerich859]

Steve Cauthen at his finest EVER

[@lgen2458]

If Ronnie Franklin was Affirmed jockey in the 1978 Triple Crown races than Alydar would have been the Triple Crown champion.

[@PeterMc141]

Cauthen moved to England in 1979. He was to win the Epsom Derby on Slip Anchor in 1985.

[@Partymanners2]

Youre very welcome, glad you enjoyed it.

[@sagerider2]

Too bad Alydar & Affirmed were born in the same year, could have had 2 Triple Crown winners in a year.

[@sagerider2]

race starts at 15:00, so you don't have to listen to Cosell.

[@josephhale9198]

Huh!!!?

[@josephhale9198]

Say what

[@gpipeline]

Great call! Exciting race.

[@jerich859]

Howard Cosell was Priceless on HERE

[@petenrita]

The Kid. So poised.

[@Caroni100]

"¿El Derby de Kentucky? Aún no se ha creado un adjetivo que pueda describir su grandeza" José Gregorio Guillot, comentarista hípico y productor radial venezolano

[@pajasa62]

What a blast by Alydar at the end!

[@johnseawind9558]

If he had started that burst of speed a furlong earlier, this could have been a different story.

[@pajasa62]

@@johnseawind9558 You're right about that.

[@racefan1951]

@@johnseawind9558 I doubt it. Every time they hooked up Affirmed held him off.

[@tonynaccarato4751]

None of these KENTUCKY DERBY, winners, seattle slew, affirmed, spectacular bid, 50 before, and 50 after, can hold a candle to the GREATEST racehorse, racing and breeding with the legend, NORTHERN DANCER, look at the time of the derby, look at all the preps before the derby, no on even close, even goose rump sec.

[@dlempriere76]

Glorious.

[@philipprebble7089]

THIS IS THE KIND OF BREEDING THAT MAKES GREAT RACES ..

[@tmayer0009]

Sorry folks but I think the only reason Affirmed won was because of a 18 year old jockey. Alydar was a better horse.

[@salicemccool9268]

Alydar's finish here led me to pick him to be the spoiler in the Belmont. Oops! (Well, I was close.)

[@marcosponce960]

Running wide how much further did alydar run

[@messiahsbythesackful6267]

I so miss the Crown coverage in the 70s! They actually (gasp) cover the horses and their connections rather than hats and Ljl' Naz on the red carpet..

[@aprildoornbos4739]

This has been my Achilles heel all my life , the Barreras

[@ericday4505]

Alydar moved way too late, AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME, those words bring a real rush, Alydar never would have caught Affirmed though.

[@thomasmckenzie4584]

He did move way too late. I think he would've caught Affirmed if he had gone a few strides earlier. He was flying!!!

[@bishlap]

Affirmed would not let Alydar pass him.

[@ArkOmen1]

I did not know the outcome of this race because it's been so long that I reviewed this race. So my bet on this race would have just been a big exacta box on both Affirmed and Alydar. As I watched the race, boy Alydar gave me a scare. He almost didn't show up but then got to firing very late. Amazing burst at the end to close well but what happened the rest of the race? Luckily, I would have won the bet! Great looking horses back then! Especially Affirmed. Wow just a perfect racehorse and top of the top. No flaws at all, no weaknesses.

[@ysingh5395]

Happy Birthday day!

[@11SEXMACHINE]

Alydar imo was the stronger and faster runner of the two. For some reason his jockey always had him to far behind.

[@johnseawind9558]

Yeah, if Alydar had started that final push a little sooner, this race could have ended differently.

[@MintChip421]

Let’s note that Sensitive Prince has the great grandsire Native Dancer, but Native Dancer was also Alydar’s grandsire

[@yourweirdo3883]

It’s been 40 years and the case is still cold

[@PeterMc141]

Steve Cauthen is the only jockey to win the Kentucky Derby and the Epsom Derby. Willie Shoemaker came close to doing both but He was beaten by a head in the Epsom Derby on Hawian Sound by first placed Henbit.

[@redbaronreborn3372]

John Veitch never got Alydar to change leads, and that more than anything cost Alydar the TC at very least the belmont.

[@stevecvino]

One person said to Veitch after the Belmont loss in '78. You know what Alydar needs? Barrera.

[@philhazel4810]

Affirmed! Our Ocala Hero!

[@SharonGinter-bt5pl]

I did watch the horse race on the swallow. Black & white TV set. I thought Elladar was very handsome but I knew affirmed with win.

[@kathleenboyle8652]

Steve Cauthen was a phenomenol horseman I missed watching him ride as all of America...b nice folsk dont bully when U r in the presence of a Star!

[@enriquejavierduenas4173]

Alydar had some terrible Jockeys and rides,He lost a lot of ground.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

The race doesn't start till. 15 min.

[@slide_drexler]

The Nephew got the best of his Uncle.

[@angelread8621]

RIP ALUDAR

[@bobt5778]

Alydar was coming on like a hurricane at the end.

[@marcosponce960]

Alydar with a different jockey would be interesting maybe better

[@hoisingshum6534]

9 ?

[@wiedep]

Howie was jealous of McKay - called him the "little man"

[@Jeanemilr-hn7tj]

Cool

[@agustindejesus7398]

I did always pick Alydar....he finally won The Travers at Saratoga via disqualification...do i remember? I think so.

[@curtis714]

affirmed reminds me of california chrome

[@curtis714]

Yeah that's what I ment :)

[@Steven-mk4gg]

Alydar, the Triple Crown Winner that would have been, but never was. Born a year too early, or a year too late, on many other years, Alydar would have been the Triple Crown Champ. However, it wasnt to be. For, Alydar had the misfortune of being born the same year as his slightly superior, arch nemesis, Affirmed.

[@dvei4938]

Affirmed had it easy -- he was in post #2 while Alydar was in the difficult outside post #10.

[@urbanothepopeofdeath]

well I guess you didnt listen to the owner or trainer of Alydar interview pre-race?

[@tonymcgrath700]

Steve Cauthen was a great jockey and was the reason Affirmed won the triple crown and not Alydar

[@notnek202]

Sad that the powers that be at Calumet killed Alydar for insurance.

[@andrethompson2034]

How could Alaydar jockey stay so far back, he loss the race for them

[@AirpigAnimations]

Yay

[@5inthehole]

Is that true, that "Believe It" won The Kentucky Oaks and was running in The Derby the next day? By the way, I picked affirmed and won on all three races! Only year that happened for me (I was to young to bet on Big Red in 1973.

[@LeeAnne151]

Desoxyn Man NO Believe It was a colt. Could not run in the Oaks.

[@mikester695]

Desoxyn Man The jockey was.

[@joechrow8341]

2 Great Horses...But Easy Goer would have Defeated them Both

[@italianwaterice9594]

son of alydar

[@ftjax]

Cal Chrome ran a poor race with a bloody foot....Who knows what might have happened ? To late now

[@jackies2480]

Not a great call by Johnson.

[@rosamundbowles2608]

Wonderful horses but the hype is ridiculous. It was only five years after Secretariat won the TripleCrown and none of these are Secretariat.

[@gotch09]

Alydar walks like the boss.

[@gotch09]

I couldn't stand cosell. He managed to always get on my nerve with that "I know everything" attitude, tinny voice and cheap toupe.

[@zacharycat]

Probably a fixed race, looked like they were holding alydar back.

[@tonysam1955]

+zacharycat Oh, please.

[@tonymcgrath700]

Steve Cauthen was a great jockey and was the reason Affirmed won the triple crown and not Alydar

[@ronclatterbuck5311]

Steve cauthen nor affirmed were in the top ten of jockeys or horses

[@jorgemuriel8790]

Steve Cauthen its not in the top ten, cause most of his career he decided to ride in Europe!!!!! but he was very talented jockey!!!!!

[@MarcHenriDupont]

@@jorgemuriel8790 I was his driver in Paris ( France).

[@Caroni100]

@@MarcHenriDupont Good morning. Really? Congratulations! I'm sure he told to you some horse racing anecdotes and stories! 🏇🏿🏇🏿🏇🏿🏇🏿🏇🏿🏇🏿🏇🏿 Greetings from Venezuela 🇻🇪