The gelded son of Affirmed, who has bankrolled more than $2.1 million in his 39-race career, led from the start, setting a pace of :23, :45 3/5; and :57 1/5 before holding off Late Carson for the victory in 1:09 1/5 under jockey Richard Migliore."It was an interesting race because he was down inside. I'm sure Richie (Migliore) didn't want to have to [go for the lead]," said trainer Richard Schosberg. "But the early fractions were so slow; :23 was good because it kind of warmed up, then it was a half-mile sprint. "He got a lot out of it, and hopefully we can come back in six or seven weeks. We'll look at the General George at Laurel. The `George,' Toboggan, Carter and Tom Fool are the only seven-furlong races anywhere. If everything goes according to plan, that would be what we would try to do."
Third in the General George last year, Affirmed Success came back to win Aqueduct's Toboggan Handicap and the Carter Handicap (gr. I). He then ran fourth in the Met Mile (gr. I) and ended his year with a runner-up finish to Left Bank's seven-furlong track record of 1:20 in Belmont Park's Tom Fool (gr. II). Affirmed Success earned $32,400 for the win, returning $3.80, $2.80 and $2.30. Late Carson paid $3.30 and $2.20 and Storm Commander was $2.10 to show.(Chart, Equibase)