OCEANPORT, N.J. - Curlin raced to a dominating victory Saturday in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Monmouth Park while the other favorites faltered.

Curlin, ridden by Robby Albarado, was the 4-1 fourth choice in the 1 1/4-mile race. He made a huge move in the turn, overtaking Hard Spun, the front-runner who wound up second in the field of nine 3-year-olds and upward. Awesome Gem, a 28-1 shot, closed late for third, while Street Sense, the 5-2 favorite, finished fourth after making his move at the same time as Curlin but failing to sustain it.

Curlin returned $10.80 after the win over the muddy Monmouth track.

Curlin, owned by a four-way partnership and trained by Steve Asmussen, won the Preakness earlier in the year and would appear to be the front-runner for Horse of the Year by virtue of his clear-cut victory.

George Washington, a 9-1 shot from the Coolmore powerhouse and the only European horse in the race, broke down in the late stretch. He was euthanized.