Curlin Wins Muddy Classic

Curlin capped a grand year by winning the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic today, the AP reports. He blew by Hard Spun and Lawyer Ron in the home stretch and ran the 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.59 on a sloppy track, claiming his sixth win in nine starts. "He's a big-day horse," said trainer Steve Asmussen. In a sad turn, European star George Washington fractured an ankle and was put down on the track.

Ginger Punch won the Distaff by a neck over Hystericalady, as Octave trailed by another neck in third, the New York Times reports. Kip Deville bested European star Excellent Art by a length to take the Breeders' Cup Mile, and Midnight Lute sparkled in the stretch to beat Idiot Proof in the Sprint. Lahudood claimed the Filly and Mare Turf by 3/4 length over Honey Ryder. (More Breeders' Cup stories.)