Horse Racing Fantasy Community

He battled Spectacular Bid in the 1979 Jockey Club Gold Cup!

Affirmed had a six-race winning streak on the line as he approached the finale of his illustrious career, the 1979 Jockey Club Gold Cup. Seeking to avenge his previous showing in this race (when his saddle slipped in the 1978 JCGC, one of the greatest racing events ever), Affirmed had to deal once again with Belmont stakes winner Coastal. That was small potatoes in this race because this race featured a battle of the titans: three-year-old Spectacular Bid joined the four-year-old Affirmed for this mile and a half battle to close out an entire decade of astounding match-ups. Even though Coastal had denied the Bid Triple Crown honors in the Belmont, the Bid still sported a wonderful record of 9 wins in 10 starts as a three-year-old entering this contest. This race signified a passing of the torch, so to speak, as Affirmed handed the reigns to the Bid as he headed into his own incredible four-year-old season. In fact, Spectacular Bid would never lose another race, going on to win a Grade II event to close out his three year old campaign and then post an undefeated four-year-old season, one of the most dominant in racing history, in 1980. Watch these two Hall-of-Famers battle it out in the 1979 Jockey Club Gold Cup:

With this victory Affirmed ended his career with a seven race winning streak, finishing his four year old season with a fine record of 7 wins, 1 place, and 1 show in 9 starts. Six of those seven wins came in Grade I races. He retired as the leading money winner in racing history, with a career record of 22 wins, 5 places, and 1 show in 29 starts. The 1970's was truly the Golden Age of Thoroughbred Racing, and Affirmed put a final stamp of talent and class on that decade as time marched on to the 1980's.

Both of these remarkable race horses are available for you to ride and bet on right here in our fantastic horse racing game, where we strive to provide the perfect mix of fantasy and reality. You can attempt to change history by running this very race and perhaps beat Affirmed atop the Bid. It's a tough proposition, but you can try as many times as you like in our virtual racing game, the very best you can find anywhere!

gfn02