Shared Belief confirmed his status as America's top dirt horse and shot to the top of Timeform’s global ratings in no uncertain fashion when he added the historic G1 Santa Anita Handicap to his record on Saturday.

Shared Belief extended his career record to 10 wins in 11 starts and earned a Timeform rating of 133, the highest in the world this year.

The sole blemish on the four-year-old's CV came when he was fourth in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic last October after the winner Bayern cannoned into him at the starting gate, all but putting him out of contention.

There was no such controversy in Santa Anita's signature event on Saturday as Shared Belief overwhelmed his rivals in the $1 million contest.

His jockey Mike Smith safely negotiated the start then was able to track the pace before gathering up Moreno on the final turn and powering away.

Shared Belief won by four and a half lengths from Moreno with Catch A Flight a head further away in third.

The victory was the fifth at G1 level for Shared Belief

Smith said: "He surprises me every time. I have to pinch myself that I get to be his pilot.

“It's Zenyatta, Holy Bull and then Shared Belief for me. I'm so blessed to have been able to ride all those great horses.

“To be the age I am and still be able to do this is a blessing.

"He won with a whole lot left. The race didn't take much out of him."

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer was appreciative of his jockey's efforts.

"He was perfectly placed by Mike. He put him in a perfect spot and moved when he wanted to,” said Hollendorfer, who insists the Dubai World Cup is still an unlikely target.

"I haven't talked about Dubai recently with the connections. I wouldn't think that would change but I could be over-ruled I guess,” he said.