Algiers Romp in Maktoum Challenge Keys World Cup Bid

Algiers  likely ran his way directly into the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) with a romping victory Feb. 3 in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (G2) at Meydan Racecourse.

The race was the highlight of the midpoint session of the Dubai World Cup Carnival and Algiers, a 6-year-old Shamardal  gelding, was the highlight of the race.

Despite being caught slightly wide throughout, James Doyle rode Algiers with nothing but confidence and when he quickly moved to the lead turning for home, the race was just as quickly over. Algiers shot away from pacesetting Bendoog  and won by six lengths in a good 1:56.08. Bendoog held second with Remorse  third.

Algiers answered the question of handling dirt racing when he won the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (G2) early in the Carnival. In Round 2, he answered the distance query at 1,900 meters (about 1 3/16 miles), banishing thoughts of targeting the Godolphin Mile (G2) on the World Cup program rather than the 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4 miles) World Cup.

"This is the best we have in the UAE," said Doyle, who rode three winners on the card. "He showed there he can get the distance so this opens up options, whether it be Saudi (the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1)) or here or wherever."

Simon Crisford, who trains the winner jointly with his son, Ed, said owner Hamdan Sultan Ali Alsabousi will make the targeting choice, adding, "On the back of that effort, we'll obviously be pushing for the World Cup."

It was Godolphin 1-2 in the Cape Verdi (G2), 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) on the turf for fillies and mares. With The Moonlight , under William Buick, rallied professionally through the stretch to catch pacesetting stablemate White Moonlight  in the final 50 meters and win by three-quarters of a length. Despite the relatively paltry margin, With The Moonlight seemed superior while coming off a five-month layoff.

"It was a nice place to start her back," Buick said. "She'll come on for that."

With The Moonlight, a 4-year-old Frankel  filly, gives trainer Charlie Appleby plenty of options going forward. Her 3-year-old campaign was largely in New York, where she finished second in the Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T), won the Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes (G3T) and reported second in the Lake Placid Stakes (G2T).

Appleby said to expect With The Moonlight to lead another New York invasion this summer after she finishes her Dubai business in the Balanchine Stakes (G2) Feb. 24.

"After that, she'll have a bit of a break and head back to America," he said. "We'll hope to have a filly or two to join her there."

It was an even closer finish in the Singspiel Stakes (G2), 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) on the turf and it was Doyle again getting the job done, booting Valiant Prince  home first, a short head in front of Alfareeq . That sets up Valiant Prince, a 5-year-old Dubawi  gelding, as a Godolphin contender for the Dubai Turf (G1) on the big night.

Alfareeq got first run to the lead when the field hit the stretch only to see Valiant Prince relentlessly close the gap through the final 100 meters. Doyle said he was confident Valiant Prince had successfully run his Meydan record to 4-for-4.

"He loves it here," Doyle said. "He's growing up all the time. It was another step in the right direction."

In the night's opening group event, trainer Bhupat Seemar added another arrow or two to his sprinting quiver as Tuz  ran home an easy three-length winner in the Al Shindagha Sprint (G3). With Jose Da Silva in the irons, the 6-year-old Oxbow   gelding was away cleanly from the often-chancy gate 1, was always prominent, and put matters to rest early in the stretch run. He finished the 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) in 1:10.72.

Isolate , last seen at Churchill Downs and Saratoga Race Course, missed the break slightly but rushed up to compete and held second. Another Seemar charge, Freedom Fighter , finished third while making his first start in 11 months. Tuz and Freedom Fighter thus join yet another of Seemar's horses, 9-year-old Speightstown   gelding Switzerland , as contenders for the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) on World Cup night.

"He has speed to burn," Seemar said of Tuz. "It could be Super Saturday (for his next race) or the Golden Shaheen. We'll see how Switzerland is doing."

Trainer Doug Watson said Isolate "just got a little leg-weary" but is a likely candidate for the Mahab Al Shimaal (G3) on Super Saturday.

I'll Stand Taller , California-based trainer Doug O'Neill's first runner in this year's Carnival, finished sixth in the Al Shindagha with William Buick aboard. O'Neill had two other runners on the card—Sifting Sands , who finished last in the Singspiel, and Get Back Goldie , who got home 11th after racing prominently in the night's final race.

This is the second straight year O'Neill has sent horses for the early weeks of the Carnival. He was rewarded in 2022 with four winners, including Get Back Goldie.

Next up: The Feb. 10 Carnival date features the U.A.E. 2000 Guineas (G3) at 1,600 meters on the dirt, and the Blue Point Sprint (G2) at 1,000 meters (about five furlongs) on the turf.