Gretzky, McNall Are Winners at Track : Horse racing: Golden Pheasant comes from behind down the stretch to win at Arlington for Kings’ owner, star player.

The Kings’ Wayne Gretzky, who has hoisted the Stanley Cup, beamed over another large silver bowl Sunday.

But this time Gretzky was standing on turf as a co-owner of the winner of Sunday’s Arlington Million.

“It’s just as exciting as anything I’ve won in my life,” Gretzky said of the victory by Golden Pheasant.

“Gary (Stevens) rode like a wild man,” trainer Charlie Whittingham, who won his third Million, said after joining Gretzky and King owner Bruce McNall in the winner’s circle.

Stevens got Golden Pheasant away safely from the dangerous No. 1 post, from which a horse has to break at an angle, then guided him through the stretch and past With Approval with about a sixteenth of a mile to go at Arlington International Racecourse.

Stevens had Golden Pheasant fifth with a mile to go, sixth with three-quarters remaining and was again fifth going into the final turn, a little more than three lengths off the lead. Coming out of the turn with a quarter-mile remaining, Golden Pheasant was still fifth, about 3 1/2 lengths back. Then he made his move.

“I was very pleased. He ran a hell of a race,” said Whittingham, who was already looking forward to Golden Pheasant’s next race--the $1.5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Oct. 27 at Belmont Park. “There’s a lot of money here with the Breeders’ Cup, and I want him fresh for that. I don’t necessarily need him to run before then. It’s only seven weeks away.”

Golden Pheasant, who carried scale weight of 126 pounds over 1 1/4 miles on a firm turf course, finished 1 1/4 lengths ahead of With Approval, who was 5 1/4 lengths ahead of Steinlen, who won the Million last year. Classic Fame was fourth in the 11-horse field, a neck behind Steinlen.

Golden Pheasant, one of about 12 horses owned in partnership by McNall and Gretzky, earned $600,000 for his third victory in five starts in the United States this year. The 4-year-old Kentucky-bred colt raced in England and France last year. Golden Pheasant returned $15.20, $7.60 and $4.40 and increased his winnings to $1,202,944.

With Approval, the 1989 Canadian horse of the year who was ridden by Craig Perret, returned $5.20 and $4. Steinlen, ridden by Jose Santos, who rode him to victory for trainer Wayne Lukas in the 1989 Million, paid $3.40.

Completing the order of finish were Ten Keys, Double Booked, Pleasant Variety, Saratoga Passage, El Senor, Prized and Alwuhush.

Golden Pheasant was Whittingham’s 14th starter in nine of the 10 Millions that have been run. He won with Perrault in 1982 and with Estrapade in 1986.