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He showed he could handle the slop in the Woodward!

When he won the Hollywood Gold Cup on June 24, 1979 and became history's first $2 million thoroughbred, Affirmed was sent back east to close out his career. After a two month hiatus to recover from the cross-country trip (something Seattle Slew's camp should have done after he won the 1977 Belmont, instead of sending him west to run in the Swaps Stakes), Affirmed tuned up with an easy six length Allowance victory at Belmont on August 29, covering a mile in 1:34 flat in the slop. Three weeks later it was back to Grade I competition in the mile and a quarter Woodward. His chief rival in this race would be the race horse that denied Spectacular Bid the 1979 Triple Crown in the Belmont, Coastal. The Belmont track was again sloppy on September 22, 1979, as Affirmed sought to extend his winning streak to six. Watch for the powerful move Affirmed makes near the end of the final turn to take the lead for good, a testament to the kind of race a Triple Crown winner that's allowed to race at the age of four can run. Enjoy the 1979 Woodward:

Stay tuned to see Affirmed take on Spectacular Bid in the final race of his career, the 1979 Jockey Club Gold Cup!

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