Afleet Again with Cornelio Velasquez captured the Grade 2 Breeders' Cup Marathon at one and 3/4 miles by two and 1/4 lengths over John Velazquez and Birdrun.
Despite the Marathon being only one of five races run at this distance in North America, conditioner Robert Reid believed the four-year-old son of Afleet Alex out of Lucky Again could go the distance.
"It's so rare to get this kind of distance, so we decided to take a shot," said Reid. "We always thought he could go this far. There's no limit to how far he can run."
The favored A.U. Miner was pulled up after sustaining bilateral sesamoid fractures in the left front fetlock joint, and Meeznah was eased due to fatigue, according to on-call veterinarian Dr. Wayne McIlwraith.
For the victory, Afleet Again paid 85.20, 35.80 and $13.80. Birdrun returned $7.20 and $5.80 to place, and Giant Oak paid $6.80 to show.
