^^^ I always rooted for Alydar - even in the Belmont with the Triple Crown at stake. I loved that horse. I knew he was the better sire and died young, but hadn’t heard about the sketchy circumstances.
I’ve always felt sorry for him that he was in the same crop of foals as Affirmed, but my son pointed out yesterday that even though he didn’t win the Triple Crown, he’s the only real second place finisher pretty much everyone knows decades later. He still solidified his moment in history.
You might enjoy this account about Alydar’s death, @Creekland. Lucille Markey’s heirs ran the farm into the ground financially which is so sad as the farm had one of the richest histories of racing and breeding success in the business. When I see a Calumet horse in the field such as Bravazo during this season and I see silks that are different than the traditional devil’s red & blue, I am sad. The traditional silks were auctioned during the farm’s bankruptcy to a South American, hence the new colors.
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/features/alydars-final-hours-21207
I was also an Alydar fan. 
I’d want to add Man O’War to that race, and he would win. He is consistently rated as the #1 thoroughbred to race in the US in the 20th Century. He didn’t run in the Derby because his owner thought it was too early to ask 3 yr olds to run a mile and a quarter, but he blew away the field in the Preakness and the Belmont, and beat Sir Barton in a match race.
I have always had a great fondness for Seattle Slew, also a great sire.
Justifie’s owner says he will continue to race his year instead of going straight to stud. Good news for those wanting to see more of that beautiful racing form.
Man O’ War is definitely invited!
@Creekland One of the racing numbers guys said Secretariat would have beaten Justify by 25 lengths (based on their two Belmonts).
Justify is a very attractive horse. I think American Pharoah was a better horse but Justify is certainly prettier!
One has to really wish we could see a Belmont with both Man O War and Secretariat in it - same distance, preferably the modern 1 1/2 miles - same conditions - and see who would win. Then add in the other Triple Crown winners. They’d all be a bit farther back, but I’d still like to see who would come in where.
@Creekland A fantasy for many of us! 