 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Algiers, the runner-up in the Dubai World Cup, suffered a loss on his return to racing in the Gr.3 Durham Cup at Woodbine on Saturday. Artie's Storm managed to overcome the favored Algiers in the final moments of the race.
Algiers, originally scheduled to compete in the Gr.2 Woodward Stakes at Aqueduct on its original date but had to be rerouted due to rain and a subsequent one-day delay, ran near the front of the pack with Robert Havlin in the saddle. However, it took some time for Algiers to navigate through the crowd and find a clear path in the final stretch.
"He was a little bit rusty," said Havlin, whose mount was beaten half a length by the Emma-Jayne Wilson-ridden winner. "I jumped to try and go forward and the one on my outside had me pretty tight on the fence. I was worried he was going to be a bit keen if he didn't disappear, so I decided to drop in behind him.
"The fractions really slowed up then and by the time I got any daylight I just ran out of track. It was a good first run back though, he just took a while to pick up and he's used to longer straights than that. I'm not too disappointed."
Algiers had not been seen since his second-place finish to Ushba Tesoro at Meydan in March. Prior to the race, joint-trainer Ed Crisford had expressed that Algiers' primary goal was to compete in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita on 4th November.
After his defeat, Paddy Power adjusted the odds for him to 8-1 (originally 6) for that particular event. Additionally, he is currently being offered at 25-1 for the Breeders' Cup Classic.