1. The derivation of the name "Affirmed" has been the subject of speculation, in part because the conviction of Wolfson, for securities law violations, had been affirmed on appeal in 1969, resulting in his imprisonment.
17 Facts About Affirmed
1. 2.
Notably, six of those starts were against his rival, Calumet Farm's Alydar, with Affirmed winning four and Alydar winning two.
3.
Around the far turn, Affirmed moved to the lead with Alydar closing ground on the outside.
4.
In mid-stretch, Alydar had closed to within a head but Affirmed pulled away in the final sixteenth of a mile to win by half a length.
5.
Alydar appeared to be in the lead for much of the stretch drive before Affirmed rallied in the final stride to win by a nose.
6.
At the start of the Kentucky Derby, Sensitive Prince took the early lead as Affirmed ran in third through the early stages, while Alydar stayed far back.
7.
Alydar made his big move on the far turn, at the same point in the race where Affirmed made his winning move in the Derby.
8.
Alydar got his nose in front at mid-stretch, but just as Affirmed appeared to tire, Cauthen went to a left-handed whip, something he had never done before in his eight rides on Affirmed.
9.
Affirmed's win marked the start of the longest gap until the next Triple Crown winner, with American Pharoah's win on June 6,2015, occurring 37 years later.
10.
Alydar and Affirmed met once more, in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga.
11.
Affirmed, piloted by Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay substituting for the injured Cauthen, cut off Alydar entering the far turn, causing his rival to hit the rail and almost go down, losing six lengths before recovering his stride.
12.
Seattle Slew was a speed horse and got the first quarter mile in 24 seconds under jockey Angel Cordero, who never allowed Affirmed to get close.
13.
However, Affirmed's saddle slipped during the race, leaving his jockey with almost no control.
14.
Spectacular Bid, like Alydar, preferred to run off the pace, and , Affirmed was allowed to set a slow pace, going the first half mile in 49 seconds.
15.
At stud, Affirmed sired over 80 stakes winners, 9 champions with earnings in excess of $44,000,000 including:.
16.
In 2001, Affirmed was euthanized after falling seriously ill with laminitis, a circulatory hoof disease.
17.
Affirmed's career has been honored with his election to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1980.