A Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race that feeds to the Grade 1 Longines Turf, this race was named after a famous horse from the late 1950s. Sword Dancer won the Belmont Stakes, the Travers Stakes, the Jockey Club Gold Cup and a host of other key races en route to a Hall of Fame career.
The race itself switched from Aqueduct’s dirt to the Belmont Park turf in 1977 — the same year of Sword Dancer’s Hall of Fame induction — before it found a home at Saratoga Race Course in 1992. The distance of 1½ miles is pretty much the farthest Thoroughbreds run in the U.S., and this race has a healthy reward with a combined purse of $750,000. Much is at stake …
Coming into this year’s edition of the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes, we have a pair of past winners who are looking to win this race for a second time. Gufo (#6) is a Christophe Clement-trained, talented son of Declaration of War seeking a repeat victory. With more than $1.5 million in career earnings, the 5-year-old has class in spades. Regular rider Joel Rosario knows his late-running tendencies and you can expect him to be in the mix late in the game.
Facing his familiar rival once again is Ontario-bred Channel Maker (#9), who won this race in 2020 but ended up sixth last year. Still, this well-travelled, 8-year-old gelding by English Channel is entered in his fifth straight Sword Dancer. With a win in the Grand Couturier Stakes at Belmont last time out for Hall of Famer trainer Bill Mott, some might believe he is building up steam at the proper time. Luis Saez, an aggressive turf rider, has the assignment.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a major New York stakes race on the grass without the presence of trainer Chad Brown. His high percentages on this surface cannot be ignored, and he will have a trio of runners entered on Saturday. Picking Adhamo (#1), Rockemperor (#5), or Tribhuvan (#7) makes a ton of sense, since they will be piloted by Flavien Prat, Irad Ortiz Jr., and Manny Franco, respectively … all jockeys that are riding well at the meet. I would favor Adhamo at morning-line odds of 7-2, since he is coming off a victory in Monmouth Park’s Grade 1 United Nations Stakes. The sweeping move he made down the lane was something special.
I am willing to take a stand against Brown’s threesome, however, and be so bold as to toss-out the pair that are seeking to duplicate past history. Instead, I much prefer the European invader trained by Aidan O’Brien. The Irish conditioner’s reputation for international shipping into North America and competing against our strongest graded competition continues apace.
Broome (#3) is a seasoned 6-year-old who possesses a massive late kick, and the morning line of 3-1 is a square price. The European style of racing emphasizes “settling” early then making a furious run just before the finish line arrives. One of the best jockeys in the world at this tactic is Broome’s jockey, Ryan Moore. He regularly had this mount earlier in the horse’s career and should be able to take advantage of what could be a fast pace.
Broome was second for O’Brien in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar last November, finishing a half-length behind Charlie Appleby’s accomplished Godolphin homebred Yibir. After winning the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes in June at Royal Ascot, Broome stepped up a month later in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes against the likes of Pyledriver and Mishriff. The moral? Broome is a classy player who has run well previously in North America. With rain earlier in the week in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., he will probably enjoy some “give” in the ground. This only adds to the argument that Moore will be the one to sweep to victory in the end. A return to the Breeders’ Cup is very likely on O’Brien’s mind.
Wagering Strategy on a $10 Budget
$10 to win on #3 ($10)
What to say at the betting window: Saratoga, Race 10, $10 to win on 3
Wagering Strategy on a $30 Budget
$20 to win on #3 ($20)
What to say at the betting window: Saratoga, Race 10, $20 to win on 3
$5 Exacta Box: 3,1 ($10)
What to say at the betting window: Saratoga, Race 10, $5 exacta box, 3,1
Wagering Strategy on a $50 Budget
$34 to win on #3 ($34)
What to say at the betting window: Saratoga, Race 10, $20 to win on 3
$2 trifecta part wheel: 3 with 1 with 2,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 ($16)
What to say at the betting window: Saratoga, Race 10, $2 trifecta, 3 with 1 with 2,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
Superfecta
6-10-8-3
6-10-8-3
$440
Trifecta
6-10-8
6-10-8
$388
Superfecta
6-10-8-3
6-10-8-3
$440
Trifecta
6-10-8
6-10-8
$388
