Saturday’s $750,000, Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga offers a “Win and You’re In” berth to the $5 million, Grade 1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf in November. Unsurprisingly, a strong nine-horse field has turned out to contest the 1 ½-mile grass race.

The group is led by #6 Far Bridge, who posted a gate-to-wire upset in the 2024 Sword Dancer. He’s since won four additional graded stakes, most recently taking Saratoga’s Grade 2 Bowling Green Stakes by three lengths.

Far Bridge (Eclipse Sportswire)

Early speed is one of Far Bridge’s strengths. He routinely races close to the pace, which could be advantageous on Saturday since there isn’t much speed entered in the Sword Dancer. With his proven talent and tactical edge, Far Bridge is a standout among the U.S-bases horses in the field.

But a couple of challengers from overseas could complicate Far Bridge’s path to the Saratoga winner’s circle. Both are trained by Charlie Appleby, who has enjoyed tremendous success with his North American starters through the years.

#5 Nations Pride has contributed several big North American wins for Appleby, taking the 2022 Grade 1 Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes, 2023 Grade 1 Canadian International Stakes, and 2024 Grade 1 Arlington Million Stakes. He’s been rested since finishing 10^th (beaten only by 5 ¾ lengths) in a deep edition of the Group 1 Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World and figures to find the competition a bit more manageable back in North America. A top-three finish is likely.

#1 El Cordobes might be an even greater threat to Far Bridge. The improving 4-year-old gelding has some early speed and delivered a career-best performance in the 1 ½-mile Group 2 Kingdom of Bahrain Princess of Wales’s Stakes in England last month, prevailing by two lengths. El Cordobes is picking up Eclipse Award-winning jockey Flavien Prat for his North American debut and should be right in the thick of things turning for home.

We suggest bettors play trifectas and superfectas in the Sword Dancer. When constructing your tickets, count on Far Bridge to finish either first or second. Then mix Nations Pride and El Cordobes into all positions on your tickets, and finally, add the improving Bowling Green runner-up #7 El Rezeen for third and fourth place.

Wagering Strategy on a $12 Budget

$1.50 trifecta: 6 with 1,5 with 1,5,7 (total cost: $6)

What to say at the betting window: Saratoga, 10^th race, $1.50 trifecta 6 with 1,5 with 1,5,7

$1.50 trifecta: 1,5 with 6 with 1,5,7 (total cost: $6)

What to say at the betting window: Saratoga, 10^th race, $1.50 trifecta 1,5 with 6 with 1,5,7

Wagering Strategy on a $36 Budget

$3.50 trifecta: 6 with 1,5 with 1,5,7 (total cost: $14)

What to say at the betting window: Saratoga, 10^th race, $3.50 trifecta 6 with 1,5 with 1,5,7

$3.50 trifecta: 1,5 with 6 with 1,5,7 (total cost: $14)

What to say at the betting window: Saratoga, 10^th race, $3.50 trifecta 1,5 with 6 with 1,5,7

$1 superfecta: 6 with 1,5 with 1,5,7, with 1,5,7 (total cost: $4)

What to say at the betting window: Saratoga, 10^th race, $1 superfecta 6 with 1,5 with 1,5,7 with 1,5,7

$1 superfecta: 1,5 with 6 with 1,5,7, with 1,5,7 (total cost: $4)

What to say at the betting window: Saratoga, 10^th race, $1 superfecta 1,5 with 6 with 1,5,7 with 1,5,7

Good luck, and enjoy the race!