KINGSTON, Jamaica - Trainer Dale Murphy said the victory by Runaway Algo in the Eros Trophy on Saturday, July 29, 2023, was simply a part of the preparatory procedure in getting his four-year-old American-bred chestnut colt ready for the ultra-rich Mouttet Mile (invitational) on December 2.
Runaway Algo led from the start and was never challenged in what turned out to be a seven-length win in the Graded Stakes/Open Allowance race for three-year-olds and above going seven furlongs. Runaway Algo set quarterly splits of 23.4 x 46.0 x 1:113 before stopping the clock at 1:26.3.
“I like the performance from Runaway Algo. I like how he accelerated in the last part of the race to win,” Murphy said in his post-race interview.
“Just last night I was watching last year’s race won by King Arthur. After a poor start, King Arthur and Calculus just caught Runaway Algo right in the last furlong of the race.
“When I looked at that race and see how he [Runaway Algo] has improved and how he has matured, I knew he would win this race. I am not surprised at the victory as the jockey rode to instructions,” Murphy added.
When asked about his confidence level heading into the Mouttet Mile, Murphy said it is just to keep Runaway Algo in tip-top shape and the rest will be history.
“We just have to keep him safe and sound and make sure nothing happens to him. Everybody is happy at the moment,” Murphy said.
Runaway Algo left his rivals in the dust as he stormed to the front after the gates opened and never looked back. The pace was slowed slightly towards the five-furlong (1,000m) mark by jockey Raddesh Roman, allowing I Am Fred (Reyan Lewis) and Mahogany (Dane Dawkins) to get close.
As the half-mile (800m) turn approached, Roman let Runaway Algo go a bit, and the Dale Murphy trainee raised the tempo and drew away from I Am Fred and Mahogany, who were under strong urging from their riders.
Runaway Algo entered the drive with a clear advantage, and found himself alone at the wire. I Am Fred came in second, followed by Mahogany in third. Following the scratch of stablemate Eagle One, King Arthur (Javaniel Patterson) completed the frame in the four-horse field.
