REUTERS

Invasor (right), ridden by jockey Fernando Jara, crosses the finish line ahead of Bernardini, ridden by Javier Castellano, to win the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, yesterday.

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (AP):

INVASOR PULLED alongside Bernardini in the stretch and blew past the seemingly invincible colt for a stunning victory in the US$5 million (€4 million) Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs yesterday.

The victory in America's richest horserace was the ninth in 10 career starts for the four-year-old Invasor, who was bred in Argentina and is Uruguay's Horse of the Year.

After his victory over a star-studded line-up, Invasor is likely to be voted the world's Horse of the Year.

With Brother Derek setting the pace, Bernardini made a bold move for the lead around the far turn and seemed to take charge entering the stretch as a cheer went up from the crowd of 75,132.

But Invasor, with 18-year-old Fernando Jara aboard, wouldn't let Bernardini get away. He went eyeball-to-eyeball with the even-money favourite, then dusted him off for a one-length victory.

In the winner's circle, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin was smiling, hugging people and clapping his hands.

Invasor, the second choice at 6-1, was supposed to take on Bernardini in the Jockey Club Gold Cup on October 7, but spiked a fever and did not run.

McLaughlin said he was hoping the time off would work in Invasor's favour, and that he would be fresh for the Classic.

"We were lucky to keep him on schedule," McLaughlin said. "He missed one work and one race. He gets a lot out of his gallops and we felt very good. He has come on a lot in the last 90 days."

There was tragedy earlier at the Breeders' Cup when the filly Pine Island was euthanised after breaking down on the backstretch during the US$2 million (euro1.6 million) Distaff. Fleet Indian, the favorite, also was injured but was expected to recover.