Before the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park on Saturday afternoon, plenty of people thought Bayern could win the race. But when it was over, and he crossed the finished line first, plenty of people thought he shouldn’t have.

Breaking from post 7 in a field of 14 horses, Bayern swung sharply left as the gate opened, into the path of favored Shared Belief, knocking into longshot V.E. Day and pacesetting threat Moreno.

Shared Belief came into the race undefeated in seven lifetime starts; a win would have likely sewn up 3-year-old championship honors and a shot at Horse of the Year. Instead, he finished fourth in a remarkable effort, given how significantly he was impeded at the start.

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Photo: Martin Garcia celebrates winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Bayern. Photo credit: Breeders’ Cup Ltd.