Columnist Ralph Siraco: Powerscourt avenges himself and his backers

Ralph Siraco

Monday, Aug. 15, 2005 | 9:04 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

It took a year to get even. And the way Powerscourt won Saturday's Arlington Million, it looked as if he also had a year of pent-up anger. His backers sure did.

Last year, British-bred Powerscourt finished first in America's first million-dollar race for thoroughbreds. However, he also became the first disqualified winner of America's first million-dollar race for thoroughbreds.

A year ago, the son of Europe's powerful sire Sadler's Well came barreling down the sprawling Arlington Park turf course and rolled right to the lead, prevailing by a length-and-a-half to the good of runner-up Kicken Kris, but was flagged for interfering with that one as he bore inward while passing the leaders.

The Arlington stewards reviewed the head-on tapes, over and over and over again while Kicken Kris' jockey Kent Desormeaux was making his case to the adjudicating body.

Meanwhile, Powerscourt rider Jamie Spencer was arguing the point that it didn't matter in the end. Desormeaux convinced the stewards that without bouncing off the rail, caused by Powerscourt, his horse would have won. Spencer lost the argument and along with it, the race.

Most observers, even the ones who backed Kicken Kris -- and got kissed into the victory -- shook their collective heads at the assessment of Desormeaux. One was prompted to declare that if they went around the course another time, Kicken Kris wouldn't have beaten Powerscourt.

For the British connections a bitter pill to swallow.

Fast-forward to Saturday's return to Arlington Park.

Not one to takes his marbles and go home, owner John Magnier returned with Powerscourt for take two. With not so much revenge, but instead justification on the mind, his 5-year-old runner was back. However, Spencer was not. Trainer Aidian O'Brien had replaced Spencer with Irish champion rider Kieren Fallon for the 2005 racing season.

This Arlington Million was no gimme for a Powerscourt retribution. He would have to face not only the American Eclipse Award winner Kitten's Joy, but Breeders' Cup Turf winner Better Talk Now as well.

Those two beat Powerscourt when he received another nightmare trip on the Lone Star Park turf course at last year's Breeders' Cup. They, along with seven other accomplished international runners, boasted a combined 60 victories with earnings of more than $9 million. Powerscourt came to the party with four lifetime victories from 20 starts, banking more than $1.3 million.

Although Powerscourt finished second in the Scottish Derby in his last start -- yes, at age 5 -- he had not finished first in seven subsequent races since his Arlington disqualification last August 14.

The stage was set.

When the field was dispatched for the 23rd edition of Arlington International's marquee race, Powerscourt settled into mid-pack while California invaders Willy and Sweet Return set the tempo for the 1 1/4-mile Grade I turf centerpiece. Million favorite Kitten's Joy was put into a perfect striking position by jockey Edgar Prado as the field bunched up at the top of the homestretch, while a chorus line of runners stacked up for the final push. Fallon had managed to guide Powerscourt in the thick of the action and waited for an opening. When the seam appeared, Powerscourt shot through the hole so fast runner-up Kitten's Joy was caught in the jet stream. Fallon was also ready for the Powerscourt shuffle. While they were passing their rivals, Fallon kept his whip working from the left side until they cleared the field, assuring no Arlington Million deja vu.

Racing again with blinkers and the European-prohibited anti-bleeding medication of Lasix, Powerscourt made the Million look like a bargain.

While Powerscourt would have paid in the range of $11 for the win last year, his loyal backers got a year's interest with his $12.40 payoff this year. Kitten's Joy, who finished three lengths arrears of Powerscourt, narrowly held off third-place finisher Fourty Niners Son. Better Talk Now checked in fourth.

Now, there may be one more piece of unfinished business for Powerscourt, should his connection choose to indulge.

Unfortunately, Spencer did nothing to rectify the Arlington Million debacle in last year's Breeders' Cup Turf. He made a premature move -- going from sixth place and 10 lengths off the lead to the front with five furlongs left in the 1 1/2-mile grass marathon -- and got Powerscourt into more traffic trouble while finally finishing third.

With Fallon in tow, Powerscourt has a good chance to get the Breeders' Cup trophy this year in the Big Apple.

OK, revenge is sweet.