THE DERMOT Weld-trained Winchester ran out a hugely impressive winner of the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park in Chicago on Saturday under Rene Douglas.
Hot-favourite Tizdejavu led the field in the early stages of the mile-and-a-quarter contest but Winchester swept past him soon after turning for home.
The result was never in doubt from that stage as the three-year-old went further clear in the straight to score readily from Aidan O'Brien's Plan, giving Ireland a 1-2 in the Grade One contest.
Weld said: "He's a nice horse and 10 furlongs is the right trip for him.
"When he won his maiden he beat the filly who won the Irish Oaks (Moonstone) and she is obviously top-class.
"I probably made a mistake by running him over a mile and a half in the Irish Derby as it was too far for him and that is why I brought him back to 10 furlongs.
"I think he's a very progressive horse and I will need to discuss it with the owners, but don't be surprised if you see him come back for the Breeders' Cup Turf."
Johnny Murtagh, who was on board runner-up Plan, added: "I was never travelling. I was pushing along about five eighths out.
"When I got into the straight and it all opened up for me, he ran home well but in tight, he just didn't like it.
"He's still a baby of a horse and I think the best is yet to come from him."
Mike De Kock was less than happy after Archipenko was edged out by French raider Spirit One in the Arlington Million.
The Philippe Demercastel-trained winner bounced out of the gates under Ioritz Mendizabal and was soon at the head of affairs.
O'Brien's Mount Nelson came to challenge the leader in the back straight but could not sustain that effort under Murtagh.
Archipenko, winner of the Summer Mile at Ascot last month, travelled strongly throughout in behind those two rivals but failed to get the gaps at a crucial stage and flashed home to take second.
De Kock was furious with Murtagh's ride on Mount Nelson and said: "There was no need for Johnny to keep us in like that.
"That is the most ungentlemanly piece of riding I have seen in a long time.
"I am very surprised at Johnny, it was as if he was looking at the horse from the start."
Archipenko's jockey Kevin Shea added: "I had so much horse I should have never lost.
"Johnny had me trapped and when it was time to go, I begged him to let me go and he wouldn't let me through."
In contrast, Demercastel was delighted with his charge and admits he could be tempted to return to America for the Breeders' Cup meeting at Santa Anita.
"I was always confident as everything in the preparation had gone really well and he was jumping out of his skin," said the trainer.
"Ioritz gave him a super ride and the fact that he had to go round two bends helped him to breathe more easily in the race."
When asked about the Breeders' Cup meeting, for which he will now have an automatic entry, Dermercastel added: "Why not? We will give him time off now as this was a tough race and he has never travelled before."
Mauralakana completed a four-timer when coming home in front in the Beverly D Stakes in the hands of Kent Desormeaux.
Formerly trained in France by Jean-Claude Rouget, the five-year-old was always close to the pace and came down the outside of runners to challenge in the straight.
Christophe Clement's mare showed a fine turn of foot to take up the running and passed the post with something to spare ahead of Communique.
A delighted Clement said: "She has a spectacular turn of foot. It can be a mile and eight, mile and a quarter or a mile and a half, she can save that turn of foot and can be very competitive."
Owner Robert Scarborough added: "I intended to send her to stud but she has won, and won like a horse at Grade One level so Christophe will now prepare her for the Breeders' Cup meeting at Santa Anita."
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