Sword Dancer Invitational at Saratoga Race Monitor
With a race underneath his belt, Winchester will goal for his fourth Grade 1 victory when he competes on Saturday in Saratoga Race Route’s $500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap at 1 1/2 miles at the turf.
Winner of the 2008 Grade 1 Secretariat at Arlington Park in his United States debut following his arrival from Eire, Winchester closing yr dissatisfied stablemate Gio Ponti within the Grade 1 Ny Handicap and added a victory within the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Vintage Invitational, each at Belmont Park. He concluded his 2011 marketing campaign with a fourth within the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs in November and an eleventh within the Workforce 1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase in December.
Now 6, Winchester, who started his occupation racing for teacher Dermot Weld in Eire, was once hindered previous this yr by means of a splint, described by means of teacher Christophe Clement as a “small coaching setback.” The Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone homebred made his 2011 debut on July 23 Arlington Park’s Grade 3 Stars and Stripes, completing 2nd in a race that was once scheduled for the turf however was once transferred to the all-weather primary monitor following rain.
“He is coaching neatly, operating again a bit fast, however is doing neatly,” mentioned Clement. “We were given what we would have liked [out of the race], however possibly it is a little too fast. However he’s doing neatly.” Cornelio Velasquez will journey Winchester, the 5-2 morning-line favourite, from the out of doors within the box of 8.
Wager at the Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap Grade 1 Stakes Race at Saratoga Race Route at Off Monitor Having a bet
Clement additionally entered closing yr’s Grade 2 Purple Smith Handicap winner Grassy within the Sword Dancer however is prone to scratch the Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider consultant if the turf is company. Grassy, a 5-year-old, has made 3 begins in 2011, completing fourth in a Keeneland allowance in April, reporting house 2nd within the 3 Cash Up in a single day stakes at Belmont in Might, and lacking by means of a neck when runner-up within the Grade 3 Singspiel at Woodbine on June 26.
“We’re going to make a decision Saturday morning whether or not he’s operating, matter to climate,” mentioned Clement.
Javier Castellano has the task aboard Grassy, 5-1 at the morning line, from publish 2.
Teaks North brings present Grade 1 shape into the Sword Dancer, having gained the United Countries by means of a half-length at Monmouth Park on July 2. In his earlier get started, the 4-year-old gelding captured the Grade 3 Monmouth on June 12, defeating twin Grade 1 winner Get Stormy within the procedure.
“He is on the most sensible of his recreation,” mentioned Justin Sallusto, who trains Teaks North for Jules Boutelle. “I imagine he will be very, very bold on Saturday.”
Whilst Teaks North competed at his house monitor in his two most up-to-date begins, Sallusto believes the gelding is able to moving his shape to the Spa. “I would reasonably keep on my house courtroom, however he is adaptable and is a superb shipper,” mentioned Sallusto. “He’s going to undoubtedly benefit from the cool Saratoga climate.” Teaks North, the 3-1 morning-line 2nd selection, will depart from publish 7 with Eddie Castro aboard.
Final yr’s Belmont Stakes hero, Drosselmeyer, will make his first get started on turf within the Sword Dancer since hanging in maiden races at Saratoga and Belmont Park all the way through his 2-year-old season.
This yr, WinStar Farm’s 4-year-old Distorted Humor colt has made 4 filth begins, completing an excellent fourth within the Challenger at Tampa Bay Downs in March, tiring to 5th within the Grade 3 Skip Away at Gulfstream in April, defeating stablemate Birdrun by means of a neck within the One Depend in a single day stakes at Belmont in Might, and failing to reel in that rival when 2nd by means of 3 3/4 lengths within the Grade 2 Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont on June 10.
Just like the Sword Dancer, the Belmont Stakes and Brooklyn are 1 1/2 miles.
“He’s going to run over the rest,” mentioned Corridor of Status teacher Invoice Mott. “I believe he handles the grass advantageous, the filth advantageous, and Polytrack advantageous. The space is necessary; clearly, he is [distance] horse. We’re going to give it a take a look at, and notice how he does in just right corporate at the grass and notice what our choices are in a while.”
Drosselmeyer, 8-1 at the morning line, will depart from the rail with Jose Lezcano aboard.
Al Khali, additionally educated by means of Mott, was once entered within the Sword Dancer however will best run over company turf. Owned by means of Brous Strong and Wachtel Strong, Al Khali was once 5th within the Grade 1 Guy O’ Warfare on July 9 and is looking for his first victory because the Grade 2 Bowling Inexperienced Handicap at Belmont in September.
Phipps Strong’s Boisterous is simply now hitting his perfect stride on the age of four, having picked up his first stakes win when he defeated Grassy within the 3 Cash Up on Might 22. He acquitted himself neatly in his graded stakes debut, completing 3rd by means of 3 1/4 lengths within the Grade 1 Guy O’ Warfare.
John Velazquez has the decision aboard 4-1 morning-line 3rd selection Boisterous from publish 5.
The Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap box additionally comprises Grade 1 winner Rahy’s Legal professional and Bim Bam, 2nd in his two most up-to-date begins, together with the Grade 1 Ny.
Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap making a bet at Off Monitor Having a bet
