Horsephotos

Johar (left) rallies strongly to draw even with High Chaparral and create the first dead heat in BC history.

The result was the first dead heat in the 20-year history of the Breeders' Cup; High Chaparral became the first horse to win two runnings of the Turf; and it was trainer Richard Mandella's third victory on a day when he would win a record four Breeders' Cup races.

But for several minutes, it was impossible to determine if any of those records had been set. Racing officials needed 11 minutes to sort out that High Chaparral and Johar had run 1 1/2 miles and finished on even terms.

During the wait, High Chaparral circled under Mick Kinane to the right of the winner's circle, while jockey Alex Solis rode Johar in a circle to the left of the winner's circle. Both horses were surrounded by nervous groups of connections and well-wishers.

"I thought the judge was on a tea break, but I knew it was very close," Kinane said.

The race nearly produced a three-way dead heat. High Chaparral ($6.40) and Johar ($13.60) finished 1 1/2 miles in 2:24.24, and were only a head in front of Falbrav, widely considered the top European challenger.

Storming Home, the 2-1 favorite, finished sixth in the field of eight.

High Chaparral and Johar used different styles to reach the winning post.

High Chaparral was always near the pace of 25.12 and 48.73 seconds set by Balto Star. High Chaparral stalked the leaders in fifth place for the first half-mile and raced in third on the backstretch. Johar was at the back of the field for the first mile.

Balto Star led until the final turn, when he quickly faded from contention when challenged by The Tin Man and Falbrav. In midstretch, Falbrav passed The Tin Man, and had an advantage of 1 1/2 lengths over High Chaparral. Johar was four lengths off the lead but closing rapidly.

The Tin Man faded in the final furlong, but the other three fought to the finish. High Chaparral took the lead from a stubborn Falbrav in the final strides, but Johar, racing widest, made up remarkable ground to finish in a tie.

"There was more pace than I expected," Kinane said. "When I asked [High Chaparral], he responded."

Falbrav finished 5 1/2 lengths in front of The Tin Man, who was followed by Sulamani, Bright Sky, Storming Home, Toccet, and Balto Star.

Falbrav may have reached the front too soon, trainer Luca Cumani said, noting that the distance of 1 1/2 miles may not have helped his horse, who excelled over 1 1/4 miles this year.

"He didn't go to the front - the front-runners came back to him," Cumani said. "The stretch run was fantastic, but it was a bit too far from him. A mile and a half is too far. To run a distance that's not his distance, I'm very proud of him. It was an incredibly good race."

Trainer Neil Drysdale reported late Saturday that Storming Home emerged from the race with an injury to the bulb of his right hind foot. Drysdale speculated that the injury was caused when Sulamani and Storming Home appeared to clip heels on the first turn.

"That's was why he flattened out," Drysdale said. "Every time he hit the ground, he felt it."

Before the Breeders' Cup, Drysdale said that owner Sheikh Maktoum was considering sending Storming Home to Hong Kong for a race in December.

"There is a possibility we could get there," Drysdale said late Saturday. "The final decision will be made by Sheikh Maktoum. We have to soak [the foot] and will medicate it."

The Turf was the final start for High Chaparral and perhaps for Johar. High Chaparral will go to stud at Coolmore in Ireland, according to John Magnier, the husband of co-owner Susan Magnier.

"I would think this is his last race, or this has always been the plan to finish here," he said.

Trained by Aidan O'Brien, High Chaparral has won 10 of 13 starts and $5,331,231 for Michael Tabor and the Magniers.

The dead heat was a relief to Tabor.

"We thought we'd won, and when we looked at it again I wasn't so sure," Tabor said.

Johar races for The Thoroughbred Corp. and was ridden by Alex Solis. A 4-year-old, Johar has won 6 of 15 starts and $1,494,496. A decision on his future will be made in coming weeks, Mandella said. "Richard did a heck of a job," said Richard Mulhall, the racing manager of The Thoroughbred Corp. "He trained him just for this race. He got him up to the race perfectly."