Ponti is one in a Million

Luca Cumani's former assistant Christophe Clement recorded the biggest victory of his career when Gio Ponti lifted the Arlington Million on Saturday.Ridden by Ramon Dominguez, the hot favourite beat Just as Well by a length and a quarter, while the Walter Swinburn-trained Stotsfold finished best of the European raiders in third place.Luca Cumani's Cima de Triomphe lost his position in the back straight and was forced to come wide on the bend, but he produced a good turn of foot in the straight that secured him fourth place.Stotsfold's rider Adam Kirby, who had never ridden at Arlington Park before, said: "Turning into the straight I still had a really big chance. I actually thought I might nearly win. He ran a blinder. He is a very special horse. He owes me nothing and is a real gentleman of a horse." Swinburn added: "He switched him inside and I thought he was going to gallop to the line and will be away. But quickly the winner came through and it's just a shame he couldn't hold on for second. But it was great performance and he gave him a great ride."Cima de Triomphe was the fastest finisher in the straight but the wide turn had cost him any chance of finishing closer.Cumani said: "He didn't have a lot of luck in running. He got shuffled back and the race became crucial just going into the last bend and he ended up going too wide on the bend and giving a lot of ground away. He ran on well in the straight but by then it was too late."As for the winner Gio Ponti, who has now won four consecutive Grade One races on turf, he might be targeted at the Breeders' Cup or even at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.Clement said: "At the end of the day, we were very patient with him when he was a three-year-old and he keeps maturing and is a better four-year-old. I think he can win a mile, a mile and a quarter and I'm sure he could win a Grade One over a mile and a half."All the Breeders' Cup races are possible, polytrack or turf, there are many good races around. The Arc is a possibility. He is not in the Arc, I don't think, but we will talk about that."