Baffert said the jockey Jerry Bailey described Silverbulletday's winning move Saturday as the best he had experienced since riding Cigar, a former Horse of the Year.

Jerry Bailey, who rode Cigar on 15 of his winning races and in this one dramatic losing race, said somewhat mournfully: "He didn't feel comfortable, probably because of the fast fractions.

This is the jockey who rode Cigar, the most famous racehorse since Secretariat.

Bailey, who has ridden Cigar in every race in the streak except one, reported: "You never go much by time with him.

This time, both jockeys will be absent: Smith to ride Concern and Bailey to ride Cigar in Arkansas in the $750,000 Oaklawn Special for older horses.

Jerry Bailey, who rode Cigar through his record-tying winning streak, put it bluntly: "I ran second.

Bailey, who rode Cigar from the No. 1 post position along the rail, said later that he had "a bit of trouble" at the first turn because of crowding.

With Jerry Bailey riding Cigar for the sixth straight time, the horse was a show-stopper.

Jerry Bailey, who rode Cigar in every race during this year, ended the season with a winning streak of his own: He has won the last three Classics and four of the last five.

Bailey, even without riding Cigar at Saratoga this summer, nonetheless rode serenely to the jockeys' title with 45 winners, 12 more than Pat Day.