In the fall of 1938, it seemed the big match race would finally happen. Alfred Vanderbilt, the president of Pimlico Racecourse, wanted nothing more than the race to be run there. He couldn't offer a large purse, but appeased to Riddle's and Howard's sportsmanship attitude by explaining to them how good it would be for racing. The mile and three-sixteenths Pimlico Special would be held November 1, 1938, with a winner take all purse of $15,000. Each horse would carry 120 pounds, and would break from a walk-up start instead of a gate. They were both favorites in their own way. Seabiscuit had captured the hearts of the fans, while War Admiral captured their betting money. Many predicted that the Admiral would run away with the race right off the starting line, as 'Biscuit was not known for his fast breaks. But that was about to change. Smith trained his colt to break off in a hurry, first by fashioning a starting bell to accustom him with the noise, and then by running him with top sprinters. Seabiscuit learned to give everything he had into speeding away at the start of the race. By midday on November first, a record 40,000 spectators squeezed themselves into Pimlico's tiny racetrack, pouring over into the infield. At 4 pm, War Admiral and Seabiscuit stepped out onto the track. They stepped up to the line together, and at the sound of the bell, 'Biscuit took off like a bolt of lightning. He opened up to a two length lead until the half mile pole, when the Admiral was in full stride at his shoulder. But Seabiscuit wouldn't let him pass, he refused to give up his lead. He even cocked his ear towards his rival, but then, War Admiral pushed his head in front. The colt, however, was struggling, and Woolf knew the race was theirs. He pushed his little bay for just a little more, and 'Biscuit sailed to a four length lead over the younger near black horse, finishing in near world record time. This year, Seabiscuit claimed Horse of the Year honors