It was a classic in the Classic.

In the first meeting of Kentucky Derby winners since Affirmed and Spectacular Bid faced off in the 1979 Jockey Club Gold Cup, Ferdinand held off Alysheba by a nose to win the fourth running of the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Ferdinand provided legendary jockey Bill Shoemaker with his lone Breeders’ Cup victory and gave trainer Charlie Whittingham with his first of two Classic victories. He completed the mile and a quarter in 2:01.40 over a fast track.

Longshots Candi’s Gold and Judge Angelucci alternated on the lead through the opening mile that produced fractions of :23, :46.40, 1:10.20 and 1:35.40 with Ferdinand looming in striking distance and Alysheba near the rear of the 12-horse field.

In the stretch, Ferdinand began to cut into the margin while Alysheba, who began his rally at the five-sixteenths pole, launched his bid with a four-wide move.

Still, the top two did not begin to yield until the sixteenth pole when Ferdinand hit the front and then held off the final surge from Alysheba.

“It was so close at the wire, I didn’t know who won,” Shoemaker said. “And neither did Chris (McCarron on Alysheba).”

Ferdinand was subsequently earned Eclipse Awards for Older Male and Horse of the Year. Runner-up Alysheba was named champion 3-year-old. Ferdinand and Alysheba would continue their rivalry the following year. Alysheba turned the tables on Ferdinand, defeating him twice in the 1988 Santa Anita Handicap and the San Bernardino Handicap. Ferdinand was retired shortly before the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Classic, which was won by Alysheba.