Does a race horse have rivals???

Originally Posted by ELA

I heard about those as well. There are some great stories out there. The one I was talking about was the day Affirmed arrived at Calumet. I am sure the story has been dramatized over the years but it was an interesting story nevertheless.

I don't know anything about horses trying harder specifically because another specific horse was in the race. However, it would not be hard for me to believe that certain horses, like in the case of Alydar and Affirmed, might have "brought out the best" in each other. Maybe it's semantics.

Eric

Anyone who hasn't the absolute pleasure of listening to Bob Fox talk about racing over the years, and the tales he can tell, is truly missing out.
Known him since I was young(Bob says however that I was never young, that I was born very old) and he taught me residual value on stallions and mares and how to figure it out.
Ask him about the time we had a gelding sold for top dollars and the guy selling blew it up because he tried to bribe the employee of a shiekh/prince.
That tough beat still nearly moves me to tears.