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Breeders' Win Gives Cigar Unbeaten (10-0) Season
Cigar staked his claim as one of the greatest thoroughbreds in history, sweeping past horses around the final turn and winning the $3 million Breeders' Cup Classic Saturday to complete an undefeated season.
In winning for the 12th successive race - 10 this season - the 5-year-old grandson of Seattle Slew beat runner-up L'Carriere by 2 1/2 lengths as the Belmont Park crowd cheered him on down the stretch. Cigar didn't disappoint, covering 1 1/4 miles in Breeders' Cup-record time of 1:59 2/5.
"He's the greatest!" jockey Jerry Bailey said. "I'm happy to have ridden him. He's overcome everything, the No. 10 hole, the wet track and waiting in the paddock."
The race developed perfectly for Cigar, who earned $1,560,000 for owner Allan Paulson. He hung in behind pacesetter Star Standard and L'Carriere entering the final turn and then, almost suddenly, made a dramatic move to the outside and took control.
Not since the filly Personal Ensign ended a 12-for-12 career by winning the Breeders' Cup Distaff in 1988 has a thoroughbred gone unbeaten through an entire year in major competition.
And a male racehorse hasn't done it since Spectacular Bid went eight for eight in 1980.
Cigar, the 3-5 favorite, returned $3.40, $3.60 and $2.90. L'Carriere, with Jorge Chavez aboard, paid $22.20 and $10. Unaccounted For, ridden by Pat Day, was another length back and paid $3.50 to show....