Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Anita Skadra — Sun, 03 May 2009 00:12:26 GMT

I worked security club hse gate at Saratoga about 13 yrs ago.  I meet you and Lou told me to bet his horse and I explained, I cant bet that much.  He returned my money if I lost..the day your hrs won, I was on break..and Patrice paid me anyway..I will always remember you and Lou

Anita

you worn that beautiful gold piece with the diamond crown..

hope you remember me

I now live in the Villages, fl

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

$BILL — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:09:14 GMT

dear mrs wolfson, as someone who spent time on harbor view as a youth (my aunt shelia was lab tech for dr guttridge) & we lived on the farm, roman brother was my pet i also was good friends with gary & cathy & spent time in the main house i remember a beautiful painting of big lou holding raise a native that was over the fireplace & also a remarkable table lamp of roman brother with baeza up.i also remember the trophy room thats probably only second to calumet. yes mrs wolfson please tell the harbor view story

as mr wolfson,you & the horses were special to me in my life

sincerly, billy eisele

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Sail — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:41:44 GMT

I remember putting my bike in the back of my friends truck. Driving to a parking lot about a mile east of Belmont Park the day of the Affirmed, Alydar Belmont stakes in 78. Getting to the track just as the horses were entering the paddock as we were locking our bikes up to a chain link fence outside the clubhouse entrance. the mighty warriors and their teams walking to the paddock walked right by us.

Entering into the grandstand second floor where the crowd was overflowing. My friends and I dragged a bench to the rail of the second floor grandstand. About forty yards from the wire. As the two champions dueled down the stretch, standing on that bench provided an unobstructed view of one of the greatest stretch duels in the history of the sport. The crowd was cheering very load and the excitement was unbelievable. After the race everyone was wakilg jumping screaming about what had just occurred before our eyes. " what a shoot out", "did you see that" "Alydar put his head in front" "unbelievable"....etc. I will remember that experience for eternity. Thank you Affirmed Thank you Alydar

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Bill S. — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:49:41 GMT

The first horse I ever bet on, was at Saratoga in the early sixties. Horses name was Morry E. and from that point on Harbor View was my favorite stable. The best memory I could think of for Lou Wolfson is for his wife Patrice to bring back the Harbor View stable. Thanks for the memories.

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

BlueHen — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:02:03 GMT

Please do an Affirmed book -- all his many fans would love it!  It would be such a thrill to look over all the photos and read about those great days!  Affirmed is still my favorite racehorse, 30 yrs. later, and I'm sure I'm not alone.

I enjoyed reading your memories in this article.  Thank you for writing and sharing them with us.

My family and I (I was 13 at the time) went to see Affirmed run in the Jim Dandy.  It was a wonderful day!  I have a big photo collage of the day, including a close-up of Affirmed and Laz Barrera passing us on the way to the paddock.

Affirmed seemed like such a calm horse.  One of my Jim Dandy day photos shows him walking quietly, head lowered, on the track before the race.  I remember my father saying he looked sleepy, to which I replied, "Wait 'til he comes out of the starting gate, Dad!"

Thank you for a lovely article.

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

sarah — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:58:08 GMT

my horse was a grandchild but i have not seen her in any bloodlines

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Nancy Gigliotti — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:44:59 GMT

Dear Mrs.Wolfson..So glad to get an update on yourself, as well as your husband. In 1978, at Saratoga, on the day Affirmed and Alydar raced each other,we had driven up from R.I. with our parents, to the track,for the event. Steve Cauthen did not ride Affirmed, as he had recently broke his collar bone on a horse called :Cute as a button. What a thrilling day! It is amazing that the years have passed so quickly! I have one strong memory of that afternoon in August,so long ago: My little sister, who was 11 years old at the time went up to your husband, and asked him for his autograph!!Your kind,and gracious husband signed her racing program, and was so sweet,and friendly to her!She was so excited! Such a nice memory! Those were such wonderful days, at Saratoga. God bless you! Nancy Gigliotti

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Elton — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:25:44 GMT

Thank you for being you. Affirmed could have gotten no one better. I loved that horse for the will to win.Please do the book to continue the great legacy that is Affirmed. Thank you and God bless you.

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

bob cutter — Thu, 22 May 2008 23:32:54 GMT

I was at all 3 races,and in fact still have all 3 win tickets uncashed and all 3 programs.What a dream to see all 3 up close.

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Mary — Sun, 04 May 2008 18:21:18 GMT

We had the opportunity to visit Affirmed and Alydar at Calumet Farms. What an exciting treat, both horses will live in my memory for ever. I would love to see you publish a book on Affirmed. Thank you for sharing you and your husbands story.

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

lynn — Sun, 04 May 2008 01:17:39 GMT

Patrice, what a beaut. story. I am 63 now, and have watched the horses since Swaps. I always had faith in Affirmed. I just thot, he,s waiting. Waiting. Those ears told the tale.I almost cried when his saddle slipped in the Gold Cup with Slew. I kept thinking, why are they taking him so fast? Then I read about it. Next year he beat the last great horse I;ve seen, Bid.

I visited Hargyard farms, believe it was called, way back when and I have a pix of Personality shortly after he was foaled. I loved Searching, so I always kept track of her foals. Hail? Well, he made more starts as a 2 yr old than these horses today make in their whole lives. Loved Hail, also have a pix of him from I think 69. First year at stud,?. What a horse. U could just look at him and know he was one of the ones.

I recall seeing Admiring as a weanling or yearling, yeh, I have a pix, and I;m still convinced I raved about her so much that's why u named her that.

Bless my grandparents for taking me to KY when I was in my lower teens. I would really love to send u a copy of my pix of Personality and Admiring and Hail, but I know I prolly won;t be able to.

As for your late husband, I thot he was crook, etc. That;s what the media told us. I was shocked. Now I know better. Anybody who bred Affirmed is OK. Not to mention having Raise a Native. Plus, I still believed in Lou regardless of all that.

Peaceout, Lynn

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Michelle B — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:45:42 GMT

I have such great memories of the spring of 1978.  I remember watching the Belmont under the grandstand at the old Longacres racetrack with my best friend, each of us screaming earnestly for our favorites.  Many years later, I had the great good fortune of seeing Affirmed in the flesh in 1995 while visiting KY.  The stallion manager brought him out for us to see, and said he was mannered enough that we could actually pat him.  I treasure the picture of me standing patting one of the GREAT ONES.  Thank you  Mrs. Wolfson for Affirmed's campaign, and the memories you've shared here.

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Billy D. — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:47:13 GMT

Dear Ms. Wolfson, As a lifelong Alydar fan, It's with grudging respect and admiriation of Affirmed and his accomplishments due in part no doubt to his formidable rival. I even named my dog Alydar. I was just a teenager when they ran and remember each excrutiating stretch run of the triple crown like it was yesterday. Affirmed proved his mettle where it counts most, on the racetrack and under heavy weight. Affirmed was a worthy champion. I respect that you decided to run Affirmed as a four year old which cemented his 3 yr. old accomplishments. I'd love to see a DVD and a book of Affirmed's career. I only wish Seattle Slew's connections would've run the Slew one more year so everyone could've witnessed Slew, Affirmed and Spectacular Bid perhaps run in the JC gold Cup! Time has made me appreciate the career you, your late husband and the late great Laz Barrera ran for Affirmed. I now have a picture of Affirmed adorning my wall winning the '79 Big 'Cap. I also have a Black & white photo of the '78 Belmont photo finish. Affirmed took on all comers and asked no quarter (and wasn't given any quarter by the racing secretaries either).  Affirmed's racetrack prowess was exceeded only by your graciousness as owners who were a credit and shining example of class being rewarded. A DVD documentary and book would be welcomed by many fans, just don't leave out Alydar.

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

MaryAnn Donahue — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:50:34 GMT

Dear Mrs. Wolfson ~ Thank you for a beautiful remembrance.  Your ability to put your heart into words is a talent that could be developed into a great tribute to your beloved Affirmed and Mr. Wolfson.  You display class and heart like that shown by Affirmed and Alydar in the greatest Triple Crown ever contested.  Blessings to you and thank you again for sharing your memories.

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

nina — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:46:34 GMT

From a Florida fan thanks to you and your family for all the great memories.

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Catherine — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:38:22 GMT

This is a lovely account, Patrice. I wasn't born until 9 years after the 1978 Triple Crown (and how I wish I had been born earlier!), and I feel somewhat cheated for having been unable to at least see it live on TV. I am very sorry about Lou, and I am glad that his final years were not entirely unhappy. I think the book tribute to Affirmed and Lou is a wonderful idea. Hopefully, with the proceeds, there will be a preventative measure or perhaps a cure for Alzheimer's (both of my grandfathers have/had it). Thank you for sharing this with us, to connect with the fans.

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Bean — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:55:56 GMT

I will always remember Affirmed. Being only 13 at the time, watching his Triple Crown mesmorized me. What a horse. I will never ever forget him. Thank you for posting this wonderful story of Affirmed and of Lou, two wonderful souls who are reunited in heaven with Laz Barrera

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Bellwether — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:29:25 GMT

got some tears from this one...pure class those TWO & something the sport could use more of...

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Layin Down The Law — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:47:42 GMT

I have a grandson of Affirmed. He was never raced, he has just been my favorite horse for 12 years and I hope for another 2 dozen. I was in Kentucky in May 2000 and our first farm to visit was to see Affirmed. His Handler gave me some of his tail hairs... I cherish those now.

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Dena Lentz — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:38:01 GMT

Thank you so much for your wonderful article. I do believe that "The Affirmed-Alydar rivalry" created so many horse racing fans.

I  also hope to see a book in tribute to Affirmed and your wonderful late husband and family. I agree it would be truly wonderful to donate some of the proceeds to Alzheimer's research.

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Kathy DellaSala — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:07:38 GMT

Dear Patrice, Thank you for that lovely piece on Affirmed. Still have my pictures of Affirmed thru the years racing in N.Y. and at Spendthrift farm. Darley did him proud with the statue over his final resting place. Please write the book, guarantee it will be a treasure for all us Affirmed diehards.   Thanks, Kathy

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Gayle Frasier — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:43:11 GMT

I visited Affirmed after the 2000 Breeders Cup when he was recovering from ankle Surgery. I then saw his exhibit at the Kentucky Horse Park when I went back for the 2006 Breeders Cup-I rememer his Belmont race like it was only yesterday. truly a classic for the ages! Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories of this truly great horse-

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

normajean81258 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:38:54 GMT

Please Please do a book!!!!

And thank you!

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Mary — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 05:36:16 GMT

Thank you for a beautiful story. I will still root for Alydar everytime I watch the 1978 classics. However, for the first time, you have created a warm spot in my heart for Affirmed and reiterated my belief there are good people in horse racing.

re: Affirmed Career - by Patrice Wolfson

Dreamer's Mom — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:23:45 GMT

Thank you so much for your beautiful words. I fell in love with horseracing on Derby Day 1978-a beautiful horse and a cute jockey made me a fan for life! I now have racehorses of my own and I know it's because of the day I fell in love with Affirmed. This time of year, every year, I bring out all of my Affirmed memorabilia and tell my kids about that wonderful campaign. They know the stories by heart and they cheer every year for one horse to win just 2 races!