Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile: Algiers gets race under his belt
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Algiers is scheduled to proceed to the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile next month after a runner-up finish in his North American debut at Woodbine, according to Ed Crisford, assistant to his father, trainer Simon Crisford.
Algiers ran in the Grade 3 Durham Cup at 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta last Saturday. It was his first start since finishing second in the Group 1, $12 million Dubai World Cup in March. Algiers was rerouted to last weekend’s race after inclement weather disrupted his training for an intended start in the Grade 2 Woodward at the Belmont meet at Aqueduct.
Algiers raced along the rail for much of the Durham Cup. He was beaten a half-length and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 92.
“He was in behind horses and couldn’t get out,” Ed Crisford said. “It would have been nice to see him win. At least he had a run.”
Crisford said Tuesday that Algiers emerged from the Durham Cup in “super” condition and the plan now is to target the Dirt Mile.
“He’s coming back to Newmarket, and we’ll ship him to California a week out from the race,” Crisford said.
The Dirt Mile is Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.
James Doyle, who is the regular rider of Algiers, has the mount, Crisford said.
Algiers was beaten 2 3/4 lengths in the Dubai World Cup by Ushba Tesoro, who is expected for the Breeders’ Cup Classic after winning his sixth straight race in the Nippon TV Hai on Sept. 27 in Japan.
Algiers had won back-to-back preps at Meydan leading up to the track’s Dubai World Cup. The first of them, Round 1 of the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge, was run at about one mile on Jan. 6. Algiers tracked the pace early, drew even with the leaders on the turn, and took command in the stretch for a 6 1/2-length victory. He covered the distance in 1:35.88.
“He won very convincingly over a mile, put up very, very good figures that day and a good time,” Crisford said.
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Algiers leads the prospective Dirt Mile field in earnings with $3 million. Cody’s Wish is next on the list with a bankroll of $2.5 million, while Gunite has earned $2.1 million.
◗ Three Technique, who was third in the Ack Ack for the second year in a row Sept. 30 at Churchill Downs, will likely target the Sprint if he goes back to the Breeders’ Cup, trainer Jason Cook said Monday. The Ack Ack, which is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge series race for the Dirt Mile, was at one turn, and Cook said he would like to keep the horse at the configuration in light of his July win in the Grade 2 John Nerud at seven furlongs at Belmont.
“We’re still kicking it around because the Sprint is a little short for him,” Cook said of the six-furlong race.
Last year, Three Technique was sixth in the Dirt Mile, run at two turns at Keeneland.
◗ Practical Move is under consideration for both the Dirt Mile and Classic following his comeback win in a Santa Anita allowance last Friday, according to trainer Tim Yakteen. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 98 for his return at a mile.
◗ The connections of Dirt Mile possible Il Miracolo believe more distance might better suit their horse at this time and as such he could instead land in the Classic or the Fayette on Oct. 28 at Keeneland.
– additional reporting by David Grening and Steve Andersen
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