CALL it star performances and performers, with an emphasis on the plural.

Last year, American Pharoah led the sport in isolation, a solo performance, barely a backup singer in sight. This year, there were stars, many of them, the likes of Tepin, Frosted, Flintshire, Nyquist, Gun Runner, Exaggerator and Miss Temple City producing big performances on big days. When it was all said and done, though, the year belonged to four horses, on back-to-back cards in the California sun.

Arrogate and California Chrome. Beholder and Songbird.

John Gaines and his big-thinking brethren created the Breeders Cup to satisfy the need for a championship day, a one-day extravaganza to decide everything on the racetrack.

ICONIC

Now spread over two days with participation trophies being bandied about it, the Breeders’ Cup has lost some edge, but this year it once again did what it does best, delivering iconic performances in iconic races.

Friday, Beholder, in her final race, and Songbird, in her final race of an undefeated three-year-old season hooked up in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, volleying with every stride, neither deserved to lose, neither did, it’s just that Beholder happened to hit the wire in front, by a nose - a desperate but far from disparate nose.

A day later, California Chrome, the best older horse in the country, clashed with Arrogate, the best three-year-old in the country in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

California Chrome turned for home, the race in the balance and Arrogate clawed back the margin, like a gold miner in a bed of pebbles.

Arrogate got there, squelching California Chrome’s undefeated season and solidifying himself as the leader of his division.

Two races, four horses offering finality. Beholder retired on the spot.

California Chrome will retire this winter. Luckily and gratefully, Songbird and Arrogate will be back for more in 2017.

The Big Impression

JOSE Ortiz won 336 races - and counting - his year, the most of any jockey. Along the way, he took the coveted Saratoga riding title, won his first Breeders’ Cup race when scoring aboard Oscar Performance and stepped squarely out of a shadow.

Older brother Irad Ortiz Jr., long the shadow caster, is going strong, winning 291 races - and counting - in 2016, but his kid brother arrived in 2016.

Long leg, quiet hands, gracious and gifted, Jose Ortiz is here to stay.