May 6, 1978: Affirmed wins the Derby

On May 6, 1978, an 18 year old kid named Steve Cauthen rode Affirmed all the way to the winners circle at the Kentucky Derby. Cauthen would ride the horse to wins at the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes also to win the Triple Crown. Cauthen was the youngest jockey to win the Triple Crown and Affirmed was the last horse to win all three races to give him horse racing's most coveted prize. He held off his biggest rival Alydar to take home the prize on that day at Churchill Downs and it was the beginning of a historic run that has not since been matched.

Watch the historic race here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65V3xFLPNLA