Burke's career takes flight.(Chicago Tribune)

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. _ Trainer Donald Burke II used a lesson he learned from his old boss Charlie Whittingham to win the first race of his career, the $190,500 Grade III Stars and Stripes Breeders' Cup Turf Sunday at Arlington Park.

Burke, an asssistant to the legendary "Bald Eagle" for more than five years, altered the training style of winner Falcon Flight. The result was a convincing 2}-length victory in the 1{-mile test.

"He's been so rank, it's been a problem for his performance," said the West Coast-based trainer, who was making his 15th start. "We've gotten him to settle down. We're letting him do his gallops well. It's important for him to get a blow in the morning. What that's done is mentally taken his energy level down a notch or two and gotten him to calm down.

"A horse is not going to be able to run his race unless he's relaxed. And that's Whittingham. That was his game."

Despite dawdling fractions, the victory was accomplished in a track-record-ying 2:274/5. The final quarter-ile in :23.22 was the race's quickest. Falcon Flight made his move from mid-pack.

"He relaxed the whole way," said winning rider Rene Douglas. "I had a perfect trip and had a lot of horse left."

Falcon Flight won for the fourth time in a 13-race career. Pacesetter Langston ran second and defending champion and ...