Four Grade 1 winners including KODIAK KOWBOY lined up for the final race at the highest level in New York this season. Ridden with patient perfection by Shaun Bridgmohan, KODIAK KOWBOY took up a position along the rail behind the pacesetting pair of Vineyard Haven and Driven by Success. Sitting to his immediate outside was 2009 Met Mile winner Bribon. The quartet galloped down the backstretch and around the turn with little change in their position. KODIAK KOWBOY had to wait to get out and the opportunity came at the top of the stretch. He moved out widest of all and he unleashed his powerful turn of foot. Vineyard Haven was still on the lead and Bribon had gotten first run, but KODIAK KOWBOY ran them both down. He caught them inside the final seventy yards and drew away to win by three-quarters of a length.

“That's three Grade 1s this year. We couldn’t be happier,” said Tom Ludt, president of Vinery Stables. “Shaun rode a great race. He’s ridden him well as a 2-year-old, and as a 4-year-old. This horse has been so good for us. Now, he’s going home to be a dad.”

"It's got to be thought about," said Ludt, when asked about a possible Eclipse Award as Champion Spinter. "I haven't really thought about who are all the candidates, but he's got to be definitely one of them. We beat Fabulous Strike twice; if we lose to him it'd be a shame because he's not even here."

"He is such a cool horse,” Bridgmohan said. “I had such a great trip. I was just very patient with him, and when I asked him, he responded like the professional he's always been. What a nice horse."

KODIAK KOWBOY finished out with eleven wins, four seconds and three thirds and a final tally of $1,668,529. He was trained during his career by both Larry Jones and Steve Asmussen. The Canadian champion at two, he scored graded stakes victories at two, three and four, was a Grade 1 performer for three straight seasons, was never layed off due to injury and he retires sound, all of which are rare in the world of racing today.

Produced by the Coronado's Quest mare, Kokadrie, the 4-year-old son of POSSE was bred in Kentucky by Hartwell Farm.