Affirmed: The Last Crown Winner
Affirmed: The Last Crown Winner
I know it may be perhaps a bit too soon for Triple Crown fever, but I can't help but get excited already. And in that case, I've caught the flu.
All of this excitement has gotten me thinking of the last Triple Crown winner and the qualities he had that horses must not have today. Speed, strength, and stamina came into my mind at first, but then I dug deeper and took a closer look at his classic wins in the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont.
In 35 years, every horse that has run in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes has failed to do what Affirmed did so many years ago. The son of Exclusive Native out of Won't Tell You won a hard fought Triple Crown over the tough-hearted Alydar, who will never be forgotten for his will to challenge this champion.
In the Kentucky Derby, Affirmed first sprang out of the gates to emerge second, but then settled back into 3rd behind the two pace setters, Sensitive Prince and Raymond Earl. Meanwhile, Alydar lacked behind by 17 lengths. No horse can make that up, spectators and even fans of his thought. Not unless that horse is Silky Sullivan.
As Sensitive Prince gave way to such a hot pace, Believe It took over the lead at the 6 furlong mark. At the mile pole, Affirmed dragged Cauthen (his jockey for the race and many more) up to the leader and drew even. He took the lead and began to “prick his ears like he always does,” Steve Cauthen would later say. Finally, Alydar showed up on the scene and over took many lengths as fast as he could. At last, it was a show between the two top 3 year olds at the moment. The two barreled across the line, with Affirmed 1 ½ lengths ahead of his nearest competitor, Alydar.
In the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the legendary Triple Crown, Affirmed was easily guided to the lead after a few lengths of the start. After 6 furlongs had gone by, Affirmed lounged on an almost effortless length lead. Noon Time Spender, a 81-1 long shot, tested Affirmed as Believe It settled for 3rd. Now, Alydar was only 4 ½ lengths behind the Kentucky Derby winner, in comparison to his 17 length disadvantage in his previous race. Eventually, Alydar snuck his way up Affirmed, now in the stretch and only a half length apart. Alydar was only able to gain so many lengths before the wire came, catching him a neck behind Affirmed's nose.
The Belmont: perhaps America's toughest race to win, was now all Affirmed had to win to become a legend in himself. When no horse came up to set the pace, Affirmed took to the job. Heading into the backstretch, Alydar came up to Affirmed and glared him down. Then he drew up to him, and the pair never separated for the rest of the race. They raced into the backstretch, and at the wire, Affirmed came out a nose in front, making history by a nose.
In all of his races, Triple Crown or not, this horse has showed one thing: courage. Many horses are too shy to take a rail spot or even race, but this was not the case with Affirmed. He hated to let any horse by him, and it showed in his races. This and, along with good bones and breeding, helped this horse become a champion on American dirt.
Therefore, all things said, I've come up with the conclusion that one of the things that separated him from the horses today was not physical, but rather mental. The latest Triple Crown winner had the utter will to win, and couldn't handle defeat. So, you decide. What is it that has caused the Triple Crown drought? No stamina? Weaker bones? A curse? Regardless of your choice, I know I've satisfied myself with my answer.
Written by Madison Jackson