Las carreras de caballos son, sin duda, un espectáculo deportivo que reune un gran número de aspectos muy atractivos para el espectador. El colorido, la sincronización entre el hombre y el caballo, las apuestas, la deportiva rivalidad, los premios y honores para propietarios, jockeys, preparadores ...
Todo lo anterior suscita una gran expectación y emociona al aficionado que acude a los hipódromos de todo el mundo en busca de esa belleza y emoción. Eso se ve incrementado si, durante años, existen dos caballos que compiten noblemente para ser elegidos como el mejor.
Quizá el mejor ejemplo de ello tuvo lugar entre 1.977 y 1.978, sus protagonistas y rivales se llamaban Alydar y Affirmed.
Estos dos caballos se enfrentaron 10 veces en su vida, la primera de ellas el 15 de junio de 1.977 en el premio Youthful del hipódromo de Belmont y la última el 19 de agosto de 1.978 en el premio Travers del hipódromo de Saratoga. De este premio hemos encontrado la imágen de la derecha que muestra un recorte del programa de la carrera. Affirmed fue montado por Laffit Pincay jr. y Alydar por su jockey habitual, Jorge Velasquez.
Affirmed ganó la carrera pero fué distanciado al segundo lugar por molestar a Alydar que se adjudicó así la misma en éste su último efrentamiento.
El vídeo de la carrera puede verse en este enlace :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6qUCO_bLns
Affirmed ganó la carrera pero fué distanciado al segundo lugar por molestar a Alydar que se adjudicó así la misma en éste su último efrentamiento.
El vídeo de la carrera puede verse en este enlace :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6qUCO_bLns
A 2 años se enfrentaron en 6 ocasiones ganando Affirmed 4 carreras y Alydar las 2 restantes.
Affirmed ganó 7 de las 10 carreras en las que se enfrentaron incluyendo las 3 carreras de 1.978 de la denominada "Triple Corona".
Para aquellos no iniciados en el mundo de las carreras de caballos, hay que explicar que la "Triple Corona" la forman las mejores carreras de Estados Unidos de América para potros de 3 años de edad; estas carreras son las siguientes :
- Kentucky Derby, 1 y 1/4 millas (2,01 km) sobre la arena de Churchill Downs en Lousville, Kentucky.
- Preakness Stakes, 1 y 3/16 millas (1,91 km) sobre la arena de Pimlico Racecourse en Baltimore, Maryland.
- Belmont Stakes, 1 y 1/2 millas (2,41 km) sobre la arena de Belmont Park en Elmont, New York.
A dos años Alydar completó su campaña con 5 victorias y 4 segundos puestos de 10 salidas a la pista. Fue batido por Affirmed en los premios Youthful, Hopeful, Futurity y Laurel Futurity.
Affirmed acabó el año con 9 salidas de la que 7 fueron victorias y 2 segundos puestos. Se le otorgó el premio Eclipse Award como el mejor 2 años de 1.977. Este premio lo han recibido, como mejores 2 años, caballos tan importantes como Man o'War (1.919), Hail to Reason (1.960), Riva Ridge (1.971), Secretariat (1.972), Seattle Slew (1.976) o Spectacular Bid (1.978).
Cuando llegaron a la edad clásica, los 3 años, cada caballo tomó un camino diferente para preparar la "Triple Corona". Alydar optó por la "ruta de Florida" y ganó el Flamingo Stakes, el Derby de Florida y el Blue Grass Stakes, este por 13 cuerpos. Affirmed hizo su campaña preparatoria en California y ganó el San Felipe Handicap, el Santa Anita Derby y el Hollywood Derby.
Y de nuevo estos dos extraordinarios caballos se encontraron, esta vez en el Kentucky Derby, primera "pata" de la "Triple Corona" americana. Cada uno con su estilo, Alydar era un caballo que le gustaba correr retrasado para presentar su remate en la recta final, Affirmed sin embargo solía corer en punta o en los primeros lugares, como ocurrió en esta carrera.
Colores de Affirmed
Alydar salió a la pista como favorito en apuestas (1,20 a 1) y Affirmed el segundo favorito (1,80 a 1). Affirmed estuvo colocado en tercer lugar en la carrera y se puso en primera posición al entrar en la recta final. Alydar llegó desde la novena plaza para intentar rebasar a su gran rival, pero su esfuerzo solo le permitió quedar segundo a 1,5 cuerpos.
Este es el vídeo de aquella carrera :
En el Preakness Stakes Affirmed salió como favorito del público, no solo por su victoria en el Kentucky Derby sino también por su estilo puntero de correr cosa que le favorecía por las características del hipódromo de Pimlico.
- Belmont Stakes, 1 y 1/2 millas (2,41 km) sobre la arena de Belmont Park en Elmont, New York.
A dos años Alydar completó su campaña con 5 victorias y 4 segundos puestos de 10 salidas a la pista. Fue batido por Affirmed en los premios Youthful, Hopeful, Futurity y Laurel Futurity.
Affirmed acabó el año con 9 salidas de la que 7 fueron victorias y 2 segundos puestos. Se le otorgó el premio Eclipse Award como el mejor 2 años de 1.977. Este premio lo han recibido, como mejores 2 años, caballos tan importantes como Man o'War (1.919), Hail to Reason (1.960), Riva Ridge (1.971), Secretariat (1.972), Seattle Slew (1.976) o Spectacular Bid (1.978).
Cuando llegaron a la edad clásica, los 3 años, cada caballo tomó un camino diferente para preparar la "Triple Corona". Alydar optó por la "ruta de Florida" y ganó el Flamingo Stakes, el Derby de Florida y el Blue Grass Stakes, este por 13 cuerpos. Affirmed hizo su campaña preparatoria en California y ganó el San Felipe Handicap, el Santa Anita Derby y el Hollywood Derby.
Y de nuevo estos dos extraordinarios caballos se encontraron, esta vez en el Kentucky Derby, primera "pata" de la "Triple Corona" americana. Cada uno con su estilo, Alydar era un caballo que le gustaba correr retrasado para presentar su remate en la recta final, Affirmed sin embargo solía corer en punta o en los primeros lugares, como ocurrió en esta carrera.
Alydar salió a la pista como favorito en apuestas (1,20 a 1) y Affirmed el segundo favorito (1,80 a 1). Affirmed estuvo colocado en tercer lugar en la carrera y se puso en primera posición al entrar en la recta final. Alydar llegó desde la novena plaza para intentar rebasar a su gran rival, pero su esfuerzo solo le permitió quedar segundo a 1,5 cuerpos.
Affirmed gana el Derby de Kentucky de 1.978 sobre Alydar
Este es el vídeo de aquella carrera :
En el Preakness Stakes Affirmed salió como favorito del público, no solo por su victoria en el Kentucky Derby sino también por su estilo puntero de correr cosa que le favorecía por las características del hipódromo de Pimlico.
La llegada fué muy emocionante con los dos caballos y jockeys desplegando todo su esfuerzo hasta el poste donde Affirmed conservó un cuello sobre su oponente.
Este es el vídeo de esa gran carrera :
Si en el Derby la distancia que les separó fué un cuerpo y medio, en el Preakness un cuello, en este Belmont Alydar llegó a una cabeza de Affirmed en una emocionante recta final. En esta carrera los dos caballos estuvieron cabeza con cabeza aproximadamente durante 800 mts.
Este es el vídeo :
En ese momento Affirmed se coronó como el 11º y último caballo ganador de la "Triple Corona" americana y Alydar pasó a la historia del turf como el único caballo que terminó segundo en las tres carreras que la componen.
Para Affirmed la última carrera en la que participó fué la Jockey Club Gold Cup enfrentándose a Spectacular Bid. La carrera solo tuvo 4 participantes pero, no obstante, resultó ser muy emocionante :
Los datos sobre las carreras de estos dos caballos son realmente espectaculares :
A 2 años :
• gana - Hopeful Stakes [G1]
• gana - Futurity Stakes [G1]
• gana - Laurel Futurity [G1]
• gana - Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes [G2]
• gana - Sanford Stakes [G2]
• gana - Youthful Stakes
• 2º - Champagne Stakes [G1]
• 2º - Great American Stakes
• mejor potro de 2 años
A 3 años :
• gana - Kentucky Derby [G1]
• gana - Preakness Stakes [G1]
• gana - Belmont Stakes [G1]
• gana - Santa Anita Derby [G1]
• gana - Hollywood Derby [G1]
• gana - San Felipe Handicap [G2]
• gana - Jim Dandy Stakes {G3]
• 2º - Marlboro Cup H. [G1]
• 2º - Travers Stakes [G1]
• mejor potro de 3 años
• caballo del año
A 4 años :
• gana - Hollywood Gold Cup [G1]
• gana - Jockey Club Gold Cup [G1]
• gana - Santa Anita Handicap [G1]
• gana - Californian Stakes [G1]
• gana - Charles H Strub Stakes [G1]
• gana - Woodward Stakes [G1]
• 2º - San Fernando Stakes [G2]
• 3º - Malibu Stakes [G1]
• caballo del año
ALYDAR
• gana - Champagne Stakes (sobre Affirmed)
• gana - Sapling Stakes
• gana - Tremont Stakes
• gana - Great American S (sobre Affirmed)
• 2º - Hopeful Stakes
• 2º - Belmont Futurity Stakes
• 2º - Laurel Futurity Stakes
• 2º - Remsen Stakes
A 3 años :
• gana - Florida Derby
• gana - Flamingo Stakes
• gana - Blue Grass Stakes
• gana - Arlington Classic
• gana - Whitney H
• gana - Travers (sobre Affirmed por distanciamiento)
• 2º - Kentucky Derby (1º Affirmed)
• 2º - Preakness S (1º Affirmed)
• 2º - Belmont S (1º Affirmed)
A 4 años :
• gana - Nassau County H
• 2º - Oaklawn H
• 2º - Carter H
• 3º - Suburban H
El entrenador de Affirmed habló varias veces sobre Alydar, su gran rival :
"Affirmed es mucho mejor que Secretariat o cualquier otro ganador de la Triple Corona porque solo él se tuvo que enfrentar a Alydar"
" Alydar podía haber sido un ganador de la Triple Corona si hubiera nacido otro año"
Affirmed comenzó su carrera como padrillo con una cuota de 30.000 $ en la granja de Kentucky Jonabell Farm hasta su fallecimiento el 12 de enero de 2.001 cuando fué sacrificado. Engendró 808 hijos de los que corrieron 560 con unas ganancias de 36.238.158 $ que equivale a una media de 64.711 $ muy inferiro a la que consiguieron los hijos de Alydar.
Affirmed en Jonabel Fram en 1.998
Fred Stone Equine Art : http://www.riverwindgallery.com/STONE/directory%20stone%202.htm
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Horse races are, without doubt, a sports event that brings together a large number of attractive aspects to the viewer. The colorful, synchronization between man and horse betting, sports rivalry, awards and honors for owners, jockeys, trainers ...
All this raises a great expectation and thrills the fans at racetracks around the world for the beauty and excitement. That is increased if, for years, there are two competing horses nobly for election as the best.
Perhaps the best example of this occurred between 1.977 and 1.978, its protagonists and rivals were called Alydar and Affirmed.
All this raises a great expectation and thrills the fans at racetracks around the world for the beauty and excitement. That is increased if, for years, there are two competing horses nobly for election as the best.
Perhaps the best example of this occurred between 1.977 and 1.978, its protagonists and rivals were called Alydar and Affirmed.
These two horses fought 10 times in their lifes, the first on 15 June 1.977 on the prize Youthful on Belmont Racecourse and the last on August 19, 1.978 in the prize Travers on Saratoga Racecourse. In this award we have found the right image that shows a cut of the race program. Affirmed was ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr.. and Alydar by his regular jockey, Jorge Velasquez.
Affirmed won the race but was distanced in second place for molesting and Alydar who won it in his latest confrontation served.
The video of the race can be seen in this link :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6qUCO_bLns
Affirmed won the race but was distanced in second place for molesting and Alydar who won it in his latest confrontation served.
The video of the race can be seen in this link :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6qUCO_bLns
At 2 years fought 6 times winning Affirmed 4 races and Alydar the remaining 2.
Affirmed won 7 of the 10 races he faced including the 3 races of 1.978 of the so-called "Triple Crown".
For those uninitiated into the world of horse racing, explain that the "Triple Crown" includes the best races of the United States for horses 3 years old, these races are as follows:
- Kentucky Derby, 1 and 1 / 4 miles (2,01 km) on the sand at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
- Preakness Stakes, 1 and 3 / 16 miles (1,91 km) on the sand of Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Belmont Stakes, 1 and 1 / 2 miles (2,41 km) on the sand Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
Affirmed won 7 of the 10 races he faced including the 3 races of 1.978 of the so-called "Triple Crown".
For those uninitiated into the world of horse racing, explain that the "Triple Crown" includes the best races of the United States for horses 3 years old, these races are as follows:
- Kentucky Derby, 1 and 1 / 4 miles (2,01 km) on the sand at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
- Preakness Stakes, 1 and 3 / 16 miles (1,91 km) on the sand of Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Belmont Stakes, 1 and 1 / 2 miles (2,41 km) on the sand Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
Two years Alydar completed its season with 5 wins and 4 second place finishes in 10 starts at the track. Was beaten by Affirmed in the Youthful, Hopeful, Futurity, and Laurel Futurity.
Affirmed finished the year with 9 outputs of which 7 were wins and 2 second places. He was awarded the Eclipse Award as the best 2 years of 1.977. This award was received, as best 2-year-old horses as important as Man o 'Wara (1.919), Hail to Reason (1.960), Riva Ridge (1.971), Secretariat (1.972), Seattle Slew (1.976) and Spectacular Bid (1.978).
When they reached the classical age, 3 years, each horse took a different route to prepare the "Triple Crown". Alydar chose the "path of Florida"and won the Flamingo Stakes, Florida Derby and Blue Grass Stakes, this for 13 bodies. Affirmed campaigned was in California and won the San Felipe Handicap, Santa Anita Derby and Hollywood Derby.
Affirmed finished the year with 9 outputs of which 7 were wins and 2 second places. He was awarded the Eclipse Award as the best 2 years of 1.977. This award was received, as best 2-year-old horses as important as Man o 'Wara (1.919), Hail to Reason (1.960), Riva Ridge (1.971), Secretariat (1.972), Seattle Slew (1.976) and Spectacular Bid (1.978).
When they reached the classical age, 3 years, each horse took a different route to prepare the "Triple Crown". Alydar chose the "path of Florida"and won the Flamingo Stakes, Florida Derby and Blue Grass Stakes, this for 13 bodies. Affirmed campaigned was in California and won the San Felipe Handicap, Santa Anita Derby and Hollywood Derby.
And again these two extraordinary horses were found, this time in the Kentucky Derby, the first "leg" of the American "Triple Crown". Each with its style, Alydar was a horse that likes to run late to present his shot down the stretch, however Affirmed corer used in a point or in the first place, as happened in this race.
Alydar took to the track as a favorite in betting (1,20 to 1) and Affirmed the second seed (1,80 to 1). Affirmed was placed third in the race and put in first place going into the final straight. Alydar came from ninth place to try to overtake his great rival, but his effort only enabled him to finish second at 1,5 bodies.
This is video of that race :
In the Preakness Stakes Affirmed came out as crowd favorite, not only for his victory in the Kentucky Derby but also for his style of running pointer thing that favored by the characteristics of Pimlico Race Course.
Affirmed with only 7 participants took command from the start, in sixth position being Alydar something off. Near the last corner and could see a breakthrough of Alydar by recovering many jobs overseas. Late on the final turn forced the pace by Alydar lane 3 to go to his rivals entering the stretch just a body could be seen Affirmed although the latter was only accompanied by his jockey while Alydar was very beer-making.
Affirmed with only 7 participants took command from the start, in sixth position being Alydar something off. Near the last corner and could see a breakthrough of Alydar by recovering many jobs overseas. Late on the final turn forced the pace by Alydar lane 3 to go to his rivals entering the stretch just a body could be seen Affirmed although the latter was only accompanied by his jockey while Alydar was very beer-making.
The arrival was very exciting with both horses and jockeys to deploy every effort to post where Affirmed kept a neck over his opponent.
This is video of this great race :
Then came the last of his fighting in the "Triple Crown", the Belmont Stakes, for many the most beautiful final that has been ever in the history of this event.
If the Derby distance separated them was a length and a half, a neck in the Preakness, Alydar in the Belmont came to a head in a thrilling Affirmed stretch. In this race the two horses were neck and neck for about 800 mts.
This is the video:
At that point Affirmed was crowned as the 11th and last horse winning the American "Triple Crown" and Alydar became turf history as the only horse that finished second in three races that compose it.
The last race for Affirmed in which he participated was the Jockey Club Gold Cup from Spectacular Bid. The race had only 4 participants but, nevertheless, proved to be very exciting :
If the Derby distance separated them was a length and a half, a neck in the Preakness, Alydar in the Belmont came to a head in a thrilling Affirmed stretch. In this race the two horses were neck and neck for about 800 mts.
This is the video:
At that point Affirmed was crowned as the 11th and last horse winning the American "Triple Crown" and Alydar became turf history as the only horse that finished second in three races that compose it.
The last race for Affirmed in which he participated was the Jockey Club Gold Cup from Spectacular Bid. The race had only 4 participants but, nevertheless, proved to be very exciting :
The data on the careers of these two horses are spectacular :
AFFIRMED
At 2 years
• won - Hopeful Stakes [G1]
• won - Futurity Stakes [G1]
• won - Laurel Futurity [G1]
• won - Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes [G2]
• won - Sanford Stakes [G2]
• won - Youthful Stakes
• 2º - Champagne Stakes [G1]
• 2º - Great American Stakes
• best colt 2 years
At 3 years
• won - Kentucky Derby [G1]
• won - Preakness Stakes [G1]
• won - Belmont Stakes [G1]
• won - Santa Anita Derby [G1]
• won - Hollywood Derby [G1]
• won - San Felipe Handicap [G2]
• won - Jim Dandy Stakes {G3]
• 2º - Marlboro Cup H. [G1]
• 2º - Travers Stakes [G1]
• best colt 3 years
• horse of the Year
A 4 years:
• won - Hollywood Gold Cup [G1]
• won - Jockey Club Gold Cup [G1]
• won - Santa Anita Handicap [G1]
• won - Californian Stakes [G1]
• won - Charles H Strub Stakes [G1]
• won - Woodward Stakes [G1]
• 2º - San Fernando Stakes [G2]
• 3º - Malibu Stakes [G1]
• horse of the Year
ALYDAR
At 2 years
• won - Champagne Stakes (on Affirmed)
• won - Sapling Stakes
• won - Tremont Stakes
• won - Great American S (on Affirmed)
• 2º - Hopeful Stakes
• 2º - Belmont Futurity Stakes
• 2º - Laurel Futurity Stakes
• 2º - Remsen Stakes
At 3 years
• won - Florida Derby
• won - Flamingo Stakes
• won - Blue Grass Stakes
• won - Arlington Classic
• won - Whitney H
• won - Travers (on Affirmed by distance)
• 2º - Kentucky Derby (1 º Affirmed)
• 2º - Preakness S (1 º Affirmed)
• 2º - Belmont S (1 º Affirmed)
At 4 years:
• won - Nassau County H
• 2º - Oaklawn H
• 2º - Carter H
• 3º - Suburban H
Affirmed's trainer spoke several times on Alydar, his great rival :
"Affirmed is much better than Secretariat or any other Triple Crown winner because only he to deal with Alydar"
"Alydar could have been a Triple Crown winner if he was born another year"
Where to comfortably beat Alydar Affirmed was in the stud as a stallion, despite his death occurred in 1.990, eleven years earlier than its rival. Alydar's death occurred when he broke a leg in an accident that still remains unclear and is part of the scandal that led to the bankruptcy of Calumet Farm (left in 1.990 years of death) where he was held. In his 11 seasons as a stallion, Alydar 706 foals father who ran the 520 with a total prize winnings of $ 59.105.824 which represents an average of $ 113.665
"Affirmed is much better than Secretariat or any other Triple Crown winner because only he to deal with Alydar"
"Alydar could have been a Triple Crown winner if he was born another year"
Where to comfortably beat Alydar Affirmed was in the stud as a stallion, despite his death occurred in 1.990, eleven years earlier than its rival. Alydar's death occurred when he broke a leg in an accident that still remains unclear and is part of the scandal that led to the bankruptcy of Calumet Farm (left in 1.990 years of death) where he was held. In his 11 seasons as a stallion, Alydar 706 foals father who ran the 520 with a total prize winnings of $ 59.105.824 which represents an average of $ 113.665
Affirmed began his career as a stallion with a fee of $ 30.000 in Jonabell Farm in Kentucky until his death on January 12, 2.001 when he was killed. He fathered 808 children of those who ran 560 with a gain of $ 36.238.158 which equates to an average of $ 64.711 very inferred to which the sons of Alydar won.
This is a brief summary of the most noble and competitive confrontation occurred in the history of horse races between two of the greatest.
