Curlin wins the Breeders' Cup Classic.

OCEANPORT, N.J., Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Preakness Stakes winner Curlin took the lead at the top of the stretch Saturday en route to capturing the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Monmouth Park.

The victory by the 3-year-old puts him in position to become the 2007 Horse of the Year.

The pace in the 1 1/4 mile race was set by Hard Spun, with Lawyer Ron running second and Diamond Stripes in third. Curlin, with jockey Robby Albarado, settled off the pace away from the rail.

On the turn for home Curlin drew even with Hard Spun at the quarter-mile pole. Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense was in third around the final turn, but could not keep up with the front two horses.

Curlin took over the lead going off the turn and posted a four length victory. Hard Spun finished second with Awesome Gem third and Street Sense fourth in the nine horse field.

George Washington, sixth last year, dislocated an ankle in the stretch and was euthanized.

War Pass outran the field to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies horse race. On a rain-soaked and soupy track, the winner completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.76.

War Pass, a surprise winner, improved to just 4-3-0 this season.

In another upset, Invasor, running for the first time in three months, beat Bernadini to capture the $5 million Breeders Cup Classic.