The two Triple Crown winners after Secretariat were Seattle Slew and Affirmed. Both were quite capable of defeating Secretariat, who lost to several plainer horses. Prove Out kicked ... his ... a—.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88iVbQM_IEY
If anyone wants to read a feel-good and enlightening sports story by an expert in the business, read this one.
Thanks. I remember both horses, but neither was as universally loved as Secretariat. IMO, I don’t think they could have beaten him, either.
Also IMO, the next horse that was loved was Barbero, even before his accident. There are some horses that just turn out to be extra special and capture the people’s fancy.