Just Like Yesterday - by Dan Liebman

re: Just Like Yesterday - by Dan Liebman

yvette — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 07:19:06 GMT

i have worked at many farms with alydar and affirmed mares. they always thrilled me, to be here with such quality stock. One time i took a maiden daughter of a Derby/preakness winner to be bred to Affirmed. I was shocked when i had to hold the mares tail, and when that didnt work, (with the guys in the breeding shed giggling) i had to "help" guide "it" in! I nonetheless saved Affirmed's hair that he shed on my gleaming mare and have fond memories of what a magnificent horse he was, and how intelligent and well mannered, for a stallion.

re: Just Like Yesterday - by Dan Liebman

degenerate gambler — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 02:45:03 GMT

Cool! for me it was 79. My first derby and the best horse I've seen since. SPECTACULAR BID. "The greatest horse to look through a bridle"

re: Just Like Yesterday - by Dan Liebman

Bellwether — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:26:34 GMT

They must have been buddies too!!!

re: Just Like Yesterday - by Dan Liebman

Dena Lentz — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:52:17 GMT

Thank you so much for your article. It certainly brought back wonderful memories. I have several framed Alydar prints in my home. Of course some include the wonderful Affirmed as well.

re: Just Like Yesterday - by Dan Liebman

Dennis — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:08:57 GMT

I remember the great triple crown as if it were yesterday. I had an older friend who grew up loving Calumet farms and their horses, and I was an Affirmed fan. I won three bets with him because I would not bet Affirmed at the windows, too cheap. At the end we were both in awe of these performances.

re: Just Like Yesterday - by Dan Liebman

Mary — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:25:58 GMT

Unfortunately, I was too young in 1978 to see Alydar (my favorite too!) run. Althea was my introduction to horse racing and Alydar's magnificence. I remember sitting at my dad's house in 1983 watching Althea & Hot Milk battle it out on one of the ESPN weekly racing shows. I knew I had to learn more about her, which in short order, opened my door to Alydar and the Calumet legacy. I have, of course, watched replays of the 1978 Triple Crown races again and again and again, hoping that with each subsequent viewing, the outcome will change. That said, Affirmed and Alydar were both amazing horses, and my only true regret is the way Alydar's life came to an end on November 15, 1990.

To Dan Liebman; On a somewhat unrelated note, I want to extend a long overdue thank you for having spent an hour of your time with me in 1994. I was a recent college graduate, who had moved to Lexington hoping to work in the racing industry. The Blood-Horse was not hiring, however, you were one of the few who took my interest seriously and invited m in for a chat. Although racing never turned into anything more than a hobby (obsession?) for me, I still remember and still appreciate that day.

re: Just Like Yesterday - by Dan Liebman

Dreamer's Mom — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:37:04 GMT

Our farm is the home to a grand-daughter of Affirmed and a granddaugther of Alydar. Life is good.

re: Just Like Yesterday - by Dan Liebman

Greg — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:09:44 GMT

I'm glad I got to see horses and racing like Alydar and Affirmed 30 years ago, because, unfortunately, those days are gone. What a shame!

re: Just Like Yesterday - by Dan Liebman

Johnny — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:07:53 GMT

I wasn't following racing in the 70s, but through lots of reading, and looking at old films, I've tried to catch up.

Affirmed and Alydar's story was perhaps the most exciting of all my studies. Two truly great racehorses that gave so much to the sport; and to each other. Both horses inseparable, each reaching his true greatness because of the other, both intertwined together in racing history.

re: Just Like Yesterday - by Dan Liebman

TC in Texas — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:34:52 GMT

Oh the Seventees. How blessed my son and I were to see in person, Riva Ridge & Secreteriat in the same race, Forego, The Bid, Afirmed & Aydar & Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure. Those were the days my friend.

re: Just Like Yesterday - by Dan Liebman

joe — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:52:48 GMT

...And those were the days, when you followed your favorite every COUPLE of weeks, in Florida from the Flamingo to the Florida Derby, and one to Keeneland or the Wood. On the West Coast, the preps prior to the Santa Anita Derby, and even the Hollywood Derby before Kentucky. The last two years, with the racing calendar and two prep race campaigns, the fun of developing a favorite is gone.

re: Just Like Yesterday - by Dan Liebman

needler in Virginia — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:03:46 GMT

What sort of comment works in this situation? Mrs Wolfson remembering her husband, her horse and that year, Cauthen and Velasquez speaking of the horses and the races.... I know it's not that classy, nor am I being exceptionally erudite, but only one word leaps to mind: WOW!

While I was thrilled watching the races that year, my favorite is STILL Alydar. with apologies to all of Affirmed's connections. The absolute uniqueness of the situation will will probably never be repeated, and that's perfect, too. The electricity on the track, whenever those two hooked up, could have powered New York City. Maybe that's the best way to describe the races and the rivalry......electric.

Can't think of one more thing to say......and I can't believe it's been 30 years, either!

re: Just Like Yesterday - by Dan Liebman

BK — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:25:05 GMT

I, too, remember those days fondly. At one time I actually thought Believe It had a chance to win one of the Triple Crown races. He was that good and he was flatly humbled by Affirmed and Alydar. He really shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence as those two and he was one heck of a racehorse. Look up Believe It's stats to see for yourself. It puts the greatness of both Affirmed and Alydar in perspective.

re: Just Like Yesterday - by Dan Liebman

Tj — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:22:41 GMT

This morning as I turned out my 22 year old Alydar grandson for the day, who I successfully evented for many years, I marveled that he is still as magnificent as he always was.