There isn't a whole lot to write when a horse goes to the lead and holds on every step of the way, just like Fort Larend did in this year's Breeders' Cup Classic. Fort Larned and Much Macho Man were 1-2 on the back stretch, on the far turn, at the top of the stretch and at the wire. A mile and a quarter around the Santa Anita main track and the two horses finished in the same positions as they had for most of the race.
The final time of the Classic was strong (2:00.11) and the pace was honest all the way around the course. The inside portion of the Santa Anita main track was the place to be all Breeders' Cup weekend. Time and time again we saw horses challenge rail horses, and time and time against we saw them come up short. Given the way the track played all day Friday and Saturday, it was quite perplexing that Rafael Bejarano didn't take Game On Dude to the front where he typically runs his best races. By the time the field rounded the far turn it was clear that the Dude's day was done.
Fort Larned's victory in the Classic means that Wise Dan is the leader in the clubhouse to be named 2012 Horse of the Year. As the most consistent and dominant horse in the country, Wise Dan deserves top honors regardless of the surfaces he's raced on.
| Finish | # | Horse |
| 1st | 4 | Fort Larned |
| 2nd | 11 | Mucho Macho Man |
| 3rd | 2 | Flat Out |
| 4th | 10 | Ron the Greek |
| 5th | 9 | Richard's Kid |
| 6th | 8 | Nonios |
| 7th | 5 | Game On Dude |
| 8th | 1 | Pool Play |
| 9th | 7 | Handsome Mike |
| 10th | 12 | To Honor and Serve |
| 11th | 6 | Brilliant Speed |
| 12th | 3 | Alpha |