Cigar rolled majestically, historically to his 12th straight victory yesterday when he won the $3 million Breeders' Cup Classic in the mud at Belmont Park by two and a half lengths over L'Carriere, clinched the title of Horse of the Year and completed one of the most dominating seasons in modern racing.
"He's done everything to rank him with the all-time greats," said Bill Mott, who trains the 5-year-old bay for Allen Paulson. "He is a super horse."
Jerry Bailey, who rode Cigar in every race during this year, ended the season with a winning streak of his own: He has won the last three Classics and four of the last five. And he lavished praise on his horse, the grandson of the great Seattle Slew, after he rode back to the winner's circle to lusty cheering from the crowd of 37,246.
The sport that has been hungering for a hero horse got one on a day that began with stormy weather but ended with sunshine and memorable performances. It had been five years since the Breeders' Cup was last run at Belmont Park, and the crowd was considerably smaller than the 51,236 that attended in 1990. But the skies and the anxiety cleared up, the horses ran safe and fast, and Cigar overcame all the distractions that come to a star in the spotlight.
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