Susan Magnier`s Powerscourt (GB), who finished first in last year`s Arlington Million Stakes (G1) only to be disqualified to fourth for interference, gained a full measure of redemption on Saturday in this year`s running of the $1-million race, powering home late between horses to pull away for an unchallenged three-length victory over favored Kitten`s Joy. In last year`s Arlington Million, with jockey Jamie Spencer aboard for trainer Aidan O`Brien, Powerscourt made a huge, three-wide rally, passing nine horses in the stretch to finish 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Kicken Kris. Under Spencer`s right-handed urging, Powerscourt drifted towards the rail causing Epalo (Ger) to veer into Kicken Kris. Jockey Kent Desormeaux, aboard Kicken Kris, lodged an objection which the stewards upheld after considerable discussion, giving Kicken Kris the victory.

This year there was no controversy and no doubt who the best horse was. With jockey Kieren Fallon in the irons, Powerscourt waited behind a wall of horses. As Kitten`s Joy took command at the sixteenth pole, Fallon found the opening he had been looking for and Powerscourt charged between horses, leaving Kitten`s Joy in his wake. The latter hung on for second, a nose ahead of a late-running Fourty Niners Son.

"This little horse deserved this win," Fallon said. "He was unlucky last year to be taken down. I think it was a great training performance by Mr. O`Brien. The horse was in great condition today and he was an impressive winner."

As expected, the Arlington turf course came up yielding for the Million, and longshot Whilly (Ire) made all the pace for the first six furlongs of the 1 1/4-mile contest.

After getting six furlongs in 1:12.84, Whilly began to tire as Cool Conductor and Sweet Return (GB) volleyed for command. Their prominence was short lived as Kitten`s Joy came charging past to take a one-length lead before Powerscourt came flying past to hit the wire in 2:03.38.

Powerscourt, a five-year-old son of Sadler`s Wells, may have the most frequent flyer miles of any horse currently in training. During his four year career he has raced in England, Germany, Ireland, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates in addition to the United States. His previous start prior to the Arlington Million was on July 18 in the Scottish Derby (Eng-G2) at Ayr, Scotland, where he finished second.

"He had a comeback in Scotland where he ran second and [Aidan O`Brien] had him peaked for today," Fallon said. "They went very quick early on. I was able to get the position I wanted. I was hoping to be just in behind the leaders turning for home. He did everything so easy for me today. When the splits came in the stretch, he went right through them. I was lucky enough to get the splits right through the middle."

Kitten`s Joy`s connections, trainer Dale Romans and jockey Edgar Prado, both felt that the four-year-old son of El Prado (Ire) might have fared slightly better if he had another race in him.

"I`m not going to make any excuses," Romans said. "He ran a super race. Powerscourt ran a great race."

Powerscourt improved his record to five wins in 21 starts and boosted his earnings to $1,912,272.

Bred in England by Juddmonte Farms, Powerscourt is out of the Rainbow Quest mare Rainbow Lake (GB).