A photo was required to determine the winner of a dramatic Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff as Malathaat left it oh so late to get on top under the famous John Velazquez drive.
The race was billed as a battle of the Todd Pletcher-trained pair Nest (the short-priced favourite) and second-favourite Malathaat, but Nest was unable to show her best and it was down to Malathaat to fly the Pletcher flag.
At the top of the home straight it was Secret Oath who still held sway, followed by fellow outsider Blue Stripe, with Nest beginning to feel the pinch between runners.
The sizeable Malathaat was just starting to engage top gear on the far outside, while Clairiere was mounting her challenge right on the inside in gritty fashion.
That pair lunged late either side of 33/1 shot Blue Stripe and, in a terrific head-bobbing finish, it was ultimately Malathaat (3/1) - third in the same race at Del Mar last November - who had her head down when it mattered most.
Pletcher said: "At first I thought we won but they kept playing the replay. I think the blinkers have made a big different, it's hard to make a change on a horse that's been so successful.
"It gives me great satisfaction. I was concerned when Nest was wide throughout, everything was looking tough right from the start."
