Surviving hot and contested paces

[Calzone Lord]

What are some of the most memorable performances you have of horses surviving duels and contested paces to run great performances -- either in victory or defeat?

For instance, Holy Bull's Travers win is obviously a classic example of this in victory. Hooking a rabbit and refusing to let deep closing Concern by.

Rachel Alexandra's Preakness win where she went eyeball-to-eyeball early with future wire-to-wire Breeders Cup Sprint winner Big Drama early, and held off Mine That Bird's late rally.

Seattle Slew's defeat to Exceller where he hooked a rabbit and a monster effort at 12 furlongs.

In the old days, beating a top class field in this fashion was considered the truest test of a horse and these were viewed as the stallion making performances.

Here's a colorful description of what they called 'winning the hard way'