Difference of Opinion
January 9th, 2004by Jude Feld
It’s a difference of opinion that makes horse racing. – Mark Twain
In his popular Racing Roundup, UPI journalist Robert Kieckhefer wrote:
“For the second straight year, the Arlington Million was decided by the stewards and, for the second straight year, it was an easy call.
Kicken Kris was making a strong move up the rail in Saturday’s 22nd renewal of the Million when Powerscourt, on the outside, came in sharply under right-handed whipping by jockey Jamie Spencer. Powerscourt forced Epalo in, shutting off Kicken Kris, who was taken up and then hit the rail hard.
As they crossed the line, Powerscourt was 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Kicken Kris, with Magistretti third and the favorite, Epalo, fourth. The stewards had an easy time of it deciding that Powerscourt should be placed after Epalo in the revised order of finish.
“For a stride or two, I thought I was going through the fence,” said Kent Desormeaux, who picked up the ride on Kicken Kris thanks to a disagreement between trainer Michael Matz and the agent for Edgar Prado, who rode the colt in his last race. “With all due respect to (Spencer), I think he knew I was coming.”
Desormeaux and Spencer had words after the finish but Desormeaux said the conversation was private.
Desormeaux, who was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame on Monday, said the incident showed the courage of his mount, a 4-year-old son of Kris S. “He got slammed. Most horses would have said, ‘Okay. That’s enough. I quit,'” Desormeaux said.
I wrote in my weekly column:
“It was a magnificent race and one of the biggest travesties our sport has ever seen. The worst part is that the NTRA spent a lot of money to put it on national television.
Arlington Park is such a beautiful place – possibly the finest, most fan-friendly racetrack in the United States. Richard Duchossois, Cliff Goodrich and crew do everything they can to assemble the world’s best Thoroughbreds for Arlington Million day every year. There was no exception in 2004.
When Godolphin Racing’s Crimson Palace (SAF) took the Beverly D. under Frankie Dettori fans knew they were in for a delightful day of Arlington-style, first-class international racing.
Then, Mrs. John Magnier’s Powerscourt (GB) under Jamie Spencer looped a magnificent field of world-class turf horses in the 22nd running of the Arlington Million (G1), romping home to win in a waltz. Minutes later, his number was taken down by three stewards who it seems don’t even know which end of a horse to feed.
TVG’s all-time best reporter, Frankie Lyons called it plainly, “a horrible decision.”
Jockey Jamie Spencer told ABC Sports’ Jennine Edwards, “If they disqualify him, I will cry.”
The stewards handed him a towel. They will probably hand him a suspension too, adding insult to injury.
Anyone who knows anything about horses knows that they are pack animals – for the most part followers rather than leaders. Granted, Powerscourt (GB) drifted in through the lane but he was only following the path of Epalo (Ger) who actually started the initial drifting while bumping Kicken Kris into the rail.
Powerscourt (GB) was noticeably clear of the incident on the pan shot and yet the stewards chose to disqualify him.
What were they watching? The Osbournes reruns?
Maybe they were influenced by Kent Desormeaux’s hideously unsportsmanlike whip pointing and waving. It seems as if his acting lessons have finally reaped some dividends. The Arlington stewards fell for his swashbuckling, hook, line and sinker, presenting him with the $600,000 winner’s check. His embarrassing display should have earned him an Oscar to go with his plaque in the Hall of Fame.
Powerscourt (GB) was the best horse, he never touched any of the first four finishers down the stretch, he won the race on the square and won’t even get black type.
That just ain’t right.
The good thing is, Mrs. Magnier doesn’t need the money, she’ll never spend the Euros she’s got. You won’t see Aiden O’Brien in any soup lines soon and jockey Spencer, being a jockey, doesn’t have a big feed bill.
Arlington Park, a racetrack rich in history will live to race again. It has risen from ashes to become even a grander place to race, but the Powerscourt (GB) camp deserves more than $50,000 for fourth and Mr. Duchossois deserves more than an attaboy. They both deserve an apology.”
Mark Twain wrote, “It is a difference of opinion that makes horse races.”
That is why, our sport is truly the greatest game.
