Breeders' Cup 2013 Results: Mucho Macho Man's Win Was Most Thrilling of Year

There were a handful of high-profile, thrilling horse races this year, but none were as pulse-pounding as the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday.

With Hall of Famer Gary Stevens in the saddle and trainer Kathy Ritvo watching anxiously in the stands at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., Mucho Macho Man held off a valiant effort from Will Take Charge to win a photo finish.

No horse ever broke away from the pack to take a decided lead. The horse that finished in third place, Declaration of War, was just a fraction behind the two frontrunners at the finish line. Here's a look at the entire race and the final standings, per BreedersCup.com.

Full Order of Finish

1. Mucho Macho Man
2. Will Take Charge
3. Declaration of War
4. Fort Larned
5. Last Gunfighter
6. Palace Malilce
7. Paynter
8. Flat Out
9. Game On Dude
10. Moreno
11. Planteur

Long shot Moreno, the 8-5 favorite Game on Dude (per BreedersCup.com), and Fort Larned pushed the pace early on, while Mucho Macho Man stayed within striking distance in fourth. Ultimately, the early leaders faded and Mucho Macho Man briefly created some space before Will Take Charge and Declaration of War nearly ran him down.

How does the Breeders' Cup Classic's level of excitement compare to the three legs of the Triple Crown in 2013? Quite favorably.

With a 16th-of-a-mile left in the Kentucky Derby, Orb ran away from the pack to a clear victory. Stevens guided Oxbow to a strong win over My Lucky Day at the Preakness Stakes and Palace Malice took clear control of the Belmont Stakes in the final furlong.

Those races had their moments of excitement, but the Breeders' Cup Classic brought intensity from beginning to end.

Mucho Macho Man had failed to win the race in 2012, but the five-year-old simply wouldn't be denied this time around. Although he didn't win any of the Triple Crown races, he brought home North America's richest prize in the sport.

The handsome purse was a fitting reward for such a sensational race. If only all of the high-stakes competitions in the sport could be this good. Fans and those in the community should cherish this one because there's no telling when we'll see another horse race this good.