1989: Sunday Silence

Born March 25, 1986, Sunday Silence didn't have a flashy pedigree like what you'd expect from a Kentucky Derby winner. He got a late start in his two year old season, only running twice in 1988. He finished second In his first attempt, then won a maiden race on his second try. At three, he prepped for the classics with wins in the San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby, making him a strong contender for Louisville's big race.

Meanwhile, Easy Goer, another great son of Alydar was winning at Gulfstream and Aqueduct: he won both the Gotham and the Wood Memorial, also looking strong for the Kentucky Derby. People were calling him the "next Secretariat", leaving Sunday Silence relatively unnoticed and short of the respect he deserved.

In the Kentucky Derby, Easy Goer, who was ailed by a hoof crack didn't handle the muddy course well, and finished second, beaten two and a half lengths by the horse no one noticed. The runner up would endure two weeks of Epsom salt soaks to both front feet leading up to the Preakness, and after a troubled start held the lead at the top of the stretch. Sunday silence ran him down and edged him out by a nose in what was the fastest mile ever run in the Preakness Stakes.

The day before the 1989 Belmont Stakes, Sunday Silence was spooked, and nearly killed his trainer with a kick directly in the temple. He would remain on the card for the Belmont Stakes, and finally went off as the favorite. But it was Easy Goer's day. The chestnut son of Alydar beat the striking black colt by eight lengths, recording the second fastest Belmont in history- only slower than Secretariat's world record for the mile and a half. With the victory, both Easy Goer and Alydar got vengeance: Alydar'S son pulled off the triple crown spoil that his father couldn't, and Easy Goer reclaimed his glory after being the previous year's two year old champion.

The two would meet once more, and Sunday Silence would get the final word by winning the Breeder's Cup Classic by just half a length over the talented Easy Goer. An injury would shortly after force the Derby and Preakness winner into retirement.

Between these two horses, it'll always be hard to say which was better. They were both great horses. The thing about the triple crown is that there almost has to be a clear cut best horse in order for there to be a winner. It's the reason Affirmed was the only horse to beat the same runner up all three times. Affirmed had to earn every victory, and he won with his heart. It's also hard to say if, had he not had the hoof problems, perhaps Easy Goer would have won all three. But in the end, it is far more difficult for a great horse to beat another great horse three times than it is for a great horse to beat a good field three times.

Sunday Silence earned Horse of the Year honors that year despite the panel believing Easy Goer to be the better horse. Sunday Silence went on the be a profitable stud in Japan, and Easy Goer will always be remembered for his rivalry with the Derby winner. In a year with two great horses, the Triple Crown becomes that much more elusive.