Conversation so far:
what was the 1977 season like for Affirmed?
As a two-year-old, Affirmed won seven of his nine starts, with two placings, for earnings of $343,477 under regular rider Steve Cauthen, then a teenager.
what else did Affirmed do in 1977?
Affirmed won his first start in a maiden special weight race at Belmont Park on May 24, 1977.
what other races did Affirmed win as a two year old?
Affirmed followed up with a win in the Youthful Stakes on June 15 where he defeated Alydar by eight lengths.
did Afffirmed beat alydar in any other race?
On August 27 in the Hopeful Stakes, Affirmed beat Alydar again.
what was the outcome of the Hopeful Stakes race between Affirmed and Alydar?
Affirmed pulled away in the final sixteenth of a mile to win by half a length. His time of 1:152⁄5 for 6 1⁄2 furlongs was a new stakes record.

Question: what was the best of 1977 for affirmed?
Self-contained rewrite: what was the best of 1977 for affirmed?