ARCADIA, Calif. -- The Breeders' Cup Classic began like a demolition derby, with horses crashing into each other out of the starting gate. It ended with Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert winning North America's richest race for the first time.

Baffert had to sweat it out, along with a crowd of 61,114 at Santa Anita, while the stewards sorted out the chaos. Their surprising decision not to disqualify anyone is something fans will be debating for some time.

After several agonizing minutes, Bayern stood as the winner of the $5 million race by a nose Saturday, ending Baffert's 0-for-12 skid.

"It's been so long waiting, I was like, 'Lord, you can't take it away from me now,'" said Baffert, who has won just about every other big race in the sport, including three Kentucky Derbies. "I couldn't breathe the last 20 yards."

Not everyone agreed with the outcome.

Shared Belief, the 5-2 favorite co-owned by sports talk host Jim Rome, was knocked off his game at the start by Bayern and finished fourth, ending his undefeated streak at seven.

"I think it cost me the race," Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith said of the early tangle. "I was never able to get comfortable after getting hit at the break."

The two-day world championships concluded with trainer Chad Brown claiming three victories and trainer Wesley Ward two. European horses earned just one victory, with 30-1 shot Karakontie in the $2 million Mile.

"To be here and enjoy the week like we did and walk away with three winners is a dream come true," said Brown, who is based in New York.

The Mile surprise was one of four upsets Saturday. The biggest came in the $2 million Juvenile Fillies, with Take Charge Brandi kicking off the nine Cup races with a 61-1 upset for 79-year-old Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

"We're not going to retire very quick," Lukas said.