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Triple Crown Drought Continues So Watch Affirmed, Secretariat Make History At Belmont (VIDEO)

FLASHBACK: Affirmed, Secretariat Make Triple Crown History At Belmont
By 

Sports Editor, The Huffington Post

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On a fast track or a muddy one, the winner of the 2013 Belmont Stakes will not be celebrating a Triple Crown. With Orb rallying to take the Kentucky Derby and Oxbow winning in wire-to-wire fashion at Pimlico, the Tripe Crown drought is guaranteed to continue for at least one more year.

The last horse to sweep the crown jewels of the Triple Crown was Affirmed, who edged Alydar in a thrilling duel at Belmont Park in 1978. Affirmed's triumph capped an incredible stretch that produced three Triple Crown horses in six years.

"People will tell you about the great races between Citation and Noor out in California in the early 1950s, and the race between Ridan and Jaipur in the Travers at Saratoga in 1962. Great races. But Affirmed and Alydar in the Belmont? Probably the best horse race that's ever been run," Hall of Fame trainer Woody Stephens told Sports Illustrated not long after the historic race. "I'll look at it again and again anytime I'm fortunate enough to get the chance. I'll raise a glass to 'em while I'm watchin' the replays and, damn, I'll root—come on Affirmed, come on Alydar. Come on Cauthen, come on Velasquez. Whatever it is that these two horses have cannot be bought or manufactured. It's the greatest act horse racing has ever had. I hope it never ends."

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE

While the Affirmed-Alydar battle made history with its competitiveness, the triumph of Secretariat in 1973 is remembered for entirely different reasons. Big Red's Triple Crown-sealing run was arguably the least competitive Triple Crown race of all time. Secretariat won by a record 31 lengths and completed the 1 1/2-mile trip in world record time, according to ESPN.

WATCH: Secretariat's Historic Belmont Win

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Before You Go

Triple Crown Winners
Affirmed - 1978(01 of11)
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Steve Cauthen raises his whip to speed Affirmed, right, toward the finish lines. Alydar is driven home by Jorge Velasquez in the final stretch of the Belmont Stakes race at Belmont Race track in Elmont, New York on Saturday, June 12, 1978. Affirmed won, becoming a triple crown victor. (AP Photo/Perez) (credit:AP)
Seattle Slew - 1977(02 of11)
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Jockey Jean Cruget stands up in his saddle and celebrates after guiding Seattle Slew to victory in the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. on June 11, 1977. The win gives Slew horse racing's Triple Crown. (AP Photo) (credit:AP)
Secretariat - 1973(03 of11)
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Secretariat and jockey Ron Turcotte pose in the winner's circle after winning the 1973 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 5, 1973. Secretariat won the 99th Run for the Roses in a record 1:59 2/5, becoming the first horse to complete the 1 1/4-mile course for the Kentucky Derby in less than two minutes. Holding on at left is groom Ed Sweet. (AP Photo) (credit:AP)
Citation - 1948(04 of11)
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Citation is shown in the winner's circle after taking a bow at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Ca., on July 21, 1951. Citation, the first race horse to win $1 million, was retired to stud on July 20. Standing with "Big Cy," from left, are, owner Lucille Parker Wright, trainer Jimmy Jones, holding bridle, and exercise boy Freeman McMillen. (AP Photo) (credit:AP)
Assault - 1946(05 of11)
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Assault, far left, thunders down to the finish line to win the 72nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 4, 1946. Spy Song, with the white-marked forehead, finished second and Hampden, left from Spy Song, was third. Assault went on to win the Triple Crown. (AP Photo) (credit:AP)
Count Fleet - 1943(06 of11)
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Jockey Johnny Longden is seated on Count Fleet in New York on May 22, 1943. Longden rode Count Fleet to thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown, with victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. (AP Photo) (credit:AP)
Whirlaway - 1941(07 of11)
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Whirlaway is draped with the floral tribute in the winner's circle at Belmont Park, N.Y., on June 7, 1941 after winning the Belmont Stakes race of the Triple Crown with jockey Eddie Arcaro. Trainer Ben Jones holds the bridle. (AP Photo) (credit:AP)
War Admiral - 1937(08 of11)
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War Admiral, with Charles Kurtsinger up, approaches the finish line to win the $50,000 Widener Cup at Hialeah racetrack at Hialeah, Fla., on March 5, 1938. (AP Photo) (credit:AP)
Omaha - 1935(09 of11)
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Omaha, winner of racing's Triple Crown in 1935, stands with Morton Porter in the Nebraska City pasture where he is spending his last days on May 1, 1957. The farm is owned by Grove Porter, Nebraska Racing Commissioner and father of Morton. (AP Photo) (credit:AP)
Gallant Fox - 1930(10 of11)
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Famous jockey "The Earl of Sande" up on his third Kentucky Derby winner Gallant Fox after the finish of the classic at Churchill Downs, Kentucky on May 19, 1930. (AP Photo) (credit:AP)
Sir Barton - 1919(11 of11)
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This is a photo of thoroughbred Sir Barton, winner of the 44th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churhill Downs on the first Saturday in May 1919. Sir Barton, foaled at Hamburg Place, Lexington, Ky., was the first Triple Crown winner in 1916. (AP Photo) (credit:AP)
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