The Race Of A Lifetime

Cauthen's victory in this $184,300 race—the winner's share was $110,580—pushed his purse earnings over $10 million in less than three years of riding. He sprinted from the winner's circle to the jockeys' room and changed silks, preparing to ride the next race. As he ran toward the paddock he suddenly veered left, grabbed and hugged his father. Tears streamed down his cheeks. "Dad," he said, "we did it. We just won the Triple Crown. The whole Triple Crown!"

In August, Affirmed and Alydar will probably meet again in the Travers at Saratoga. Can they continue to battle so fiercely? "I know what will happen," Cauthen said. "They will fight head to head. When you beat somebody seven out of nine times you'd think they wouldn't come back for the 10th time. But Alydar will come back again. Always does."