Spirit One, the four year-old French colt was sent to the front by jockey Ioritz Medizabal in the 27th running of the Arlington Million at Arlington Park on Saturday. When the race took a serious turn with 600 metres left, Spirit One raised his game to beat back a strong bid from Mount Nelson and John Murtagh. In the last 100 metres, Archipenko, the 6-5 public choice, challenged strongly but Spirit One had put the issue at rest.

The time was 2.02.17 for the 2000-metre grass race. The winning margin was three parts of a length. Jockey Mendizabal, in a hurry to catch a flight to Paris, made a statement. “I wanted (Spirit One) to run his race and therefore I wanted the lead. He responded well. He had enough when I asked him.”

I asked trainer Phillippe Demercastel (a translator was present) why jockey Medizabal was given the mount especially because he was riding Spirit One for the first time. “Other jockeys had contractual commitments and Ioritz was coming anyway to ride another horse here today. It all worked out well. I told Ioritz that the Million was a perfect race for our horse.”

Winning owner Kamel Chehboub took delight in the fact that a small owner-breeder like him could win a big event like the Arlington Million. "It is very gratifying. We are very happy here. We have been treated very well. I would like, most certainly, to come back.”

I pointed out to Mr Chehboub that his colt would have been at shorter odds in France because Spirit One had been chasing Duke of Marmalade and Soldier Of Fortune. By Anabaa Blue, a German stallion, Spirit One is out of Lavayissere, a mare by Sicyos.

What you have read in the preceding paragraphs is a narrative of what I saw and heard but the Million story took an unexpected and bitter twist in the minutes after the race but the action was unfolding away from the press meeting room. Mike de Kock’s Archipenko, widely thought to be the horse (hard) to beat was on ground-saving trip, desperately looked for room which he did not get until the race had almost been decided, made a late charge to be second. Mount Nelson, always behind the pace-setting Spirit One, was out of the pocket with less than 800 metres left, loomed large turning for home and did not retreat enough to let Zrchipenko through until close home.

Trainer de Kock threw diplomatic niceties out the window. "John Murtagh thinks he’s King Johnny. He kept us boxed in. He could not win. He has to take the blame for us not wining. That was an ungentlemanly ride.”

Mike de Kock had John Murtagh ride Honour Devil and Asiatic Boy in Dubai this year. Murtagh was aboard Archipenko when the de Kock-trained colt made his 2008 reappearance. Given what transpired on Sunday, I am sure de Kock and Murtagh may not shake hands any time soon.

Jockey Kevin Shea, rider of Archipenko, spoke matter-of-factly but couched his words with an unmistakable tinge of bitterness.  “I would have won the race. Johnny (Murtagh) stopped me. I begged him to let me out. He would not.”

John Murtagh, in a mighty hurry to catch a plane to Europe to race at Deauville (France) on Sunday, did not dismiss the charge but showed a conspicuous lack of vigor in defending himself. “I had the (two-hole) pocket and when I came out and moved, I thought that Mount Nelson would do it. We kept trying and Spirit One also kept running. I rode to win but we just could not get there.”

Here’s the Million result:Spirit One, Ioritz Mendizabal, $29.40
                                             Archipenko, Kenvin Shea
                                             Mount Nelson, John Murtagh
                                             Seven ran

The Beverly D, a race for distaffers, was won by Mauralakana, a French five year-old mare. Kent Desormeaux sat fourth as Dreaming Of Anna set the pace. Precious Kitten and Rafael Bejarano, the favourite, took a shot at the leader before the final turn and began to weaken as the field straightened out. Charging three-wide around a tiring Precious Kitten, Mauralakana challenged Dreaming of Anna and forged ahead after a brief tussle. Communique came on late to take the runner-up berth. Toque de Queda took the show spot.

The time was 1:55.19 for the 1900-metre race. The winning margin was one and one quarter lengths. Mauralakana was the second favorite at 2.40 to 1. Muhtathir is the sire of Muralakana. Jimkana, a French mare by Double Bed, is the dam. Christophe Clement trains Mauralakana who was winning four races in a row and her fifth race in the last six outings. Robert Scarborough, based in Australia, is the winning owner.

Kent Desormeaux did not attend the press conference. I asked trainer Clement why his mare’s 2008 record is vastly superior to her 2007 numbers. “From four to five, some improve dramatically and she is one such mare. There’s more to come. She has a tremendous turn of foot. Kent timed it right today.”

I wanted to know if the Breeders’ Cup was a target. “Absolutely, Mr Clement said, “Flower Bowl (a stakes race) is the next stop. We have an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup. We’ll be at Santa Anita,”

Beverly D result:        Mauralakana, Kent Desormeaux  $6.80
                                      Communique  Rene Douglas
                                       Toque de Queda, John Murtagh
                                        Nine ran

Dermot Weld is a well known trainer in Ireland. When Weld sends horses to America, he is taken very seriously. He has several high profile wins in the United States. In The Secretariat Stakes, a 2000-metre grass race for sophomores, trainer Weld was represented by Winchester. By Theatrical, a proven grass sire and the winner of the Arlington Million, Winchester was unplaced in his only start as a freshman. In April 2008, Winchester broke the duck at Leopardstown when beating Moonstone, winner of the Irish Oaks this year. After running second in his next start, Winchester had poor races in Royal Ascot’s King Edward Stakes and the Irish Derby at the Curragh in late June. Eligible for a non-winners of two (races) contest, Winchester was taking on Tizdejavu, the favourite, who had won four races. Another opponent was Plan, trained by Aidan O’Brien, who was coming off a win in a Grade III race in Ireland.

The Secretariat was run at a solid clip. Tizdejavu called the tune and was bowling along merrily. Jockey Rene Douglas had Winchester save ground, went in chase of Tizdejavu with 600 metres to run, struck the front as they turned for home and ran away to win by seven and one half lengths. Plan ran on to be second in front of Tizdejavu. Winchester had gone from first standard to fourth or fifth and swept the higher class students off their feet. The time was 2.01.76.

I asked Dermot Weld why he brought Winchester to Arlington given the fact that the colt had not won a race with other winners. “He is a top class colt. He beat Moonstone when breaking maiden and Moonstone won a Classic this year. Theatrical was good on grass. He had shown definite signs of improvement and training well. Don’t be surprised if we come for the Breeders’ Cup.”

I wanted to know why Pat Smullen (Weld’s regular rider) did not make the trip to Chicago. “Pat had problems. Few days ago, there were floods in Ireland and Pat had to attend to a problem. He could not have made it on time to ride here. He would have loved it. Rene (Douglas) got the job done.”

Weld confirmed that Chinese White is on the mend after a setback and will not race this year. “Casual Conquest is being pointed to the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September. A promising filly called Street Style is my big hope,” Weld concluded.

Secretariat Stakes result:    Winchester, Rene Douglas  $17.00
                                                  Plan, John Murtagh
                                                  Tizdejavu, Garrett Gomez
                                                   Nine ran

There were 31,000 fans at Arlington Park. It was a sunny day. Arlington is a great plant. Television sets are ubiquitous. My wife and I had a wonderful time.

I had a chance to meet John Murtagh. He was able to give me five minutes. In my next report, I will write about my talk with jockey Murtagh.