Runaway Algo steals a run on disappointing I Am Fred

UNITED STATES-BRED RUNAWAY ALGO frolicked on an unmolested lead with 115lb before sprinting clear of fellow American I AM FRED in the stretch run to easily win yesterday’s Eros Trophy at seven furlongs for trainer Dale Murphy and owner Lanmark Farm.

The script flipped RUNAWAY ALGO’s way from the start after his nemesis, MAHOGANY, failed to show his usual scorching speed, struggling in third while I AM FRED had to take up the role of chasing with 122lb.

Coasting past the half-mile marker with I AM FRED being hustled to keep pace and MAHOGANY labouring in third, RUNAWAY ALGO, a 12-length winner on June 17, sped away under Raddesh Roman’s hand ride to clock 1:26.3, registering his ninth victory from 18 starts, an enviable record of a win from every two outings.

I AM FRED, who had easily beaten RUNAWAY ALGO at six and a half furlongs on April 8, closing from off the pace, did not enjoy having to take the fight to the speedster a furlong and a half into the event, flattening in the stretch run after being used up on the far side.

MAHOGANY stayed on for third in the four-horse field, a shadow of the horse who clocked a scintillating 1:44.1 at eight and a half furlongs when beating grade one to land the Ian Levy Cup last December, confirming his April 22 third-place run behind I AM FRED and CALCULUS at a mile on April 22 had signalled a loss of form.

Leading rider Reyan Lewis booted home a three-timer on the 10-race card, opening the programme aboard champion trainer Jason DaCosta’s WHIZZ KIDD, a three-year-old dropping in among $550,000 claimers.

Lewis, afterwards, rode back-to-back winners, PROSECCO and AIRSTREAM, completing his three-timer to maintain a stranglehold on the Jockeys’ title race with 63 wins, well clear of Tevin Foster, who moved to 45 by landing the closing event aboard POSING ALREADY at five furlongs straight.

Racing continues Emancipation Day, Tuesday, August 1, with a nine-race card.