Flashback: Away from Affirmed, Alydar romps in the Whitney

Alydar won the Arlington Classic (G2) in the summer of 1978. He was sent to Saratoga for the Whitney Stakes ( G2), which he won by 13 lengths. The Whitney would have been more lucrative than the Jim Dandy Stake (Listed).

Alydar finished second in all three legs of the 1978 Triple Crown. Trainer John Veitch chose to run his star colt in the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga instead of facing Affirmed. The Whitney would award nearly $50,000 to the winner. Alydar was the 8-5 morning line favorite with regular rider Jorge Velasquez in his saddle. The field was deep and the post position draw was not good. J. O. Tobin, J., O., Proud Birdie, and Nearly On Time were in it. It was a $75,00 nine-furlong race.