Easy ride for Runaway Algo in Delapenha Memorial Trophy run
Despite Runaway Algo’s disappointing run in last December’s Mouttet Mile, Dale Murphy’s American-bred chestnut colt, who reports down in class, should have an easy task in the $1.14-million Lloyd Lindbergh “Lindy” Delapenha Memorial Trophy feature at Caymanas Park today.
Runaway Algo was expected to figure in the ultra-rich Mouttet Mile (one mile), but the far-striding colt, after keeping pace for most of the way, faded inside the final two furlongs (400m) to finish in 14th place by 17 lengths behind winner Excessive Force.
However, prior to that tame effort, Runaway Algo was second behind champion stayer Calculus in the Mark My Word Trophy over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m) on October 8, 2022 and again was second behind Mahogany in the Gold Cup over seven furlongs (1,400m) on two weeks later. Based on those runs alone, this shouldn’t be a race for Runaway Algo, who is expected to register his sixth career win on local soil. Jockey Linton Steadman has the leg up here.
The three-year-old and upward Overnight Allowance contest going one mile (1,600m) is positioned as the 10th event on the 11-race card with a post time of 4:30 pm. First race is at 11:15 am.
Money Monster, who finished in second place behind Emperorofthecats in the Ash Wednesday Trophy on Wednesday, looks the most likely to follow Runaway Algo here.
Money Monster, who is owned and trained by Fitzroy Glispie, finished 2 1/2 lengths away in the end. With the distance increased, the six-year-old bay gelding should again put in another good effort for the exacta. Reyan Lewis remains in the saddle.
Of the rest of the runners in the eight-horse field, Crimson, trained by Gary Subratie, and Marquesas, trained by Michael Marlowe, are expected to be competitive throughout the race.
Crimson has not put in a competitive effort for some time now, but the seven-year-old bay gelding has the class and talent to turn around his poor form and spring a surprise here. He has run three races this year so far, so fitness should not be an issue for him, and the distance of a mile is just perfect for Crimson to get into the mix. Raddesh Roman will ride.
Marquesas, on the other hand, gave an eye-catching performance when finishing second by a length and a quarter behind Sweet Majesty in the Allan “Billy” Williams Memorial Cup over seven furlongs on January 21. The eight-year-old bay horse, if he can reproduce that run, can go home with a piece of the pie here.
The rest of the field is made up of Unruly Boss, Helicopter, Press Conference, and Classical Orb.
Ones to watch
Race 1) Joe/Don Vincenzo/Aka Storm
Race 2) Letters in Gold/JJ Warrior/Sensational Ending
Race 3) Noble Impulse/Manaco/Josh
Race 4) Timetosaygoodbye/Valiant/Fiery Path
Race 5) Without Remorse/Potential/Wildfire
Race 6) Uncle Wal/Gradydon/Nina Dorada
Race 7) Anonymous/Boasy/Big Guy In TheSky
Race 8) Fearless Reina/Wow How/Digital Light
Race 9) Natural Dancer/Exotic Light/Gahly Gahly Links
Race 10) Runaway Algo/Money Monster/Marquesas
Race 11) Colorado Ranger/Zabratone/Sebastian