Patience pays off for Artie's Storm in Durham Cup
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Artie’s Storm beat out the imposing shipper Algiers to capture Saturday's Grade 3 Durham Cup at Woodbine under a patient ride from Emma-Jayne Wilson.
Artie’s Storm ($13.80) raced three lengths off the lead in fifth on the backstretch in the 1 1/16-mile event as Wolfie’s Dynaghost set honest fractions while being tracked by Treason and Algiers.
Algiers, idle since finishing second in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup in late March, awaited room along the rail on the far turn. Wilson angled Artie’s Storm wide for the drive, and they hit the front at the sixteenth pole en route to a half-length score, in a time of 1:41.08.
Wolfie’s Dynaghost gave way grudgingly to finish another neck back in third, and the surprising favorite Treason faded to fourth in the seven-horse field.
Rick Hayashi, assistant to trainer Paul Buttigieg, said Artie’s Storm took some time to come around this year and has been wearing bar shoes, including in the Durham Cup.
“He had lots of problems early [this year] with his feet, and his blood was all out of wack,” Hayashi said. “It took a long time to get him where he is today. I’ve got to give a lot of credit to our blacksmith, John Staples. The horse had bruised feet and he came up with these protective shields for him. Since he’s had them on, he’s turned the corner.”
A 5-year-old son of the late We Miss Artie, Artie’s Storm earned $108,000 of the $168,000 purse for Buttigieg Training Centre.
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