Calidoscopio (ARG)

The nine-year-old Calidoscopio (ARG) had been a money-making machine in his home country of Argentina, with nine wins and 13 placings from his 39 lifetime starts. In June of 2012, he earned an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Marathon through the Breeders' Cup Challenge series by winning the Clasico Belgrano at Palermo in Buenos Aires. He did not start again until the 1 3/4 mile Marathon, more than four months later at Santa Anita. Calidoscopio broke last and trailed the field of 13 by as much as 10 lengths through the first mile. However, jockey Aaron Gryder patiently worked his mount toward the frontrunners at the top of the stretch and came hard down the lane to win by 4 lengths. Calidoscopio became the oldest horse to win a Breeders' Cup race for his owner Dona Pancha and trainer Guillermo Frankel. It was also Gryder's first Breeders' Cup win.