Does a race horse have rivals???

In the paddock at the 1978 Marlboro Cup the "rivals" were Seattle Slew and Affirmed. At that time, they did not know each other as racing rivals. It has been told that Slew pranced in front of Affirmed and generally acted as if," I am going to kick your butt. Who cares if you are going to go off the favorite. I am the better horse!" This is recounted by Slew's jockey Angel Cordero and others. I was at the paddock that day, but I was so enamored of Slew that I was not noticing specifics. He always seemed very self-assured and alpha to me.