The 20th Running of The Sword Dancer-G1
Saturday, August 27, 2022
SAR Race #10 $750.000
4+ 123 Lbs 11/2 Inner Turf
G1 BC TURF AUTO-QUALIFIER
Course/Stakes Record-2:24.36 (Classical Composer-2015)
As always, Travers Saturday at the Spa is a veritable cornucopia of G1 racing and the 20th edition of The Sword Dancer-G1 has drawn a field that doesn’t have to take a back seat to any on the card. Although only nine runners were drawn to compete, seven of those that will line the gate are already graded winners this season. When fields are this close in ability, the race usually comes down to trip, so let’s take a look at how this group stacks up in The Sword Dancer-G1:
#1 Nevada Silver (Nakamura Stables/L.J. Luzzi): Was a G1 winner at KEE in April has followed that effort with three consecutive near misses at this level. Has been very consistent with his results despite using differing tactics on several occasions. Draws the rail for the second straight time, but BC Mile winner from last season needs to show the same finishing zeal at these longer distances if he wants to continue competing in the BC Turf Division.
#2 Afterburner (Arindel/J.S. Rocco Jr): Recent G2 winner had racked-up a nice total of points before taking the big step forward here last month. Showed a new dimension last time as he rallied from a bit further back than we had been seeing him. Should be able to tuck right in behind the rail horse and attempt to utilize those same tactics from here. Hasn’t taken many shots at this level on the lawn, but he normally puts forth his best when he gets these oportunities and he looks to continue the positive momentum here.
#3 Key Biscayne (TwinTowersRacing/J.R. Velazquez): 6yo has kept a steady dance card as he’s been running once a month this season after taking February off. Has two G2s to his credit this season in his only attempts going this trip. Versatile sort appears able to adjust his style to what is asked of him, but he could only manage to get within two lengths last time at MTH and the most recent 6f breeze is quite a bit slower than what we’d seen from him late in the spring. Not dismissing him, but not all of the signs are positive here.
#4 Outcross (Threshold/M. Murrill): 4yo gelding will be making only the eighth start of his career, but the barn is giving him every chance to prove he belongs. Started his season in February with a TUP allowance tally, but he’s seen three consecutive graded fields since. He’s made up ground late in all three, but he really appeared to relish his first try at this trip last time when he was just one length behind the winner. He has shown that he wants to drop back in the field before making one run at them, but these are some very accomplished and talented foes that he will have to get by here.
#5 Never Met Me (Mb Stables/R.M. Hernandez): 6yo has shown he isn’t afraid of company on the front end and it’s hard to imagine that he’ll shy away from any pace pressure here. Went insanely quick last time, but showed a ton of grit to only be beaten a neck for all of the money. Not sure he’ll go that quick this time, but he is likely to have company regardless. Has proven to be an absolute bear to get by when he’s on his game and have to assume this gelding isn’t in the mood for trying something different this time.
#6 Billy Joel (La Canada Racehorses/T. Gaffalione): BC champ from 2020 threw a curveball at them last time when he sat well-behind the aforementioned pace set by the horse inside of him here when he rallied from some 11-lengths back to just miss by a neck. Prior to that excellent effort, he was on/near the pace for every step of back-to-back G3 scores. Faces a bit of a dilemma here, as he probably doesn’t want to be that far back again; however, how fast is he willing to go early to stay in touch? When he’s “on”, he’s as good as there is in the game, but he ‘s only tried this level twice since last October and he didn’t hit the board in either. Still, he’s too classy to discount.
#7 Cinnamon Strike (Smokey Stover/Mario Gutierrez): 5yo had to share last month’s G1 victory at MTH with the horse drawn just to his outside in here. That performance further continued the nice bit of form he’s been displaying this season as he’s posted three wins and hasn’t been beaten by more than two lengths in both losses. Granted, both wins came going a furlong shorter than what he’s tasked with here and he hasn’t defeated these types of foes going this far, but he appears to be adaptable enough to work out any type of trip and usually runs his race.
#8 King Que Niagra (D J C Racing Stables/L. Saez): Dual-G1 winner is having an excellent 5yo campaign as he also has a G2 score to his credit. Now, he’s not the most consistent type; his “other” three races this season have seen him finish 9th, 8th, and 6th, respectively; however, he was only beaten a length when 9th, the dirt race is a toss, and the 6th was his second consecutive race on short rest. None of those factors are at play here, so we can’t fault anyone who excuses those performances. Doesn’t get a great draw, but he should sit 2-3 wide while racing in midpack, and, if he’s ready, that should give him every opportunity to make his run.
#9 Ags Cherokee (RNP Stables/M. Franco): 4yo has changed hands 4x through claim, private purchase, and auctions; however, he keeps getting results. Gets a huge opportunity here to reward this outfit’s faith after taking a $135.000 overnight stake in the barn debut. This will only be his 5th attempt at the graded level, and his first at a trip over a mile. Doesn’t get any favors with this draw, but he’s shown he can win in various ways, so he may be able to work out a trip. G1 fields are always tough, but this guy may have found all of the division’s bullies in the same playground.
Final Analysis: This is definitively anyone’s race, but we’ll go with the one that we know where he’ll be and the ones that could have gone elsewhere. Give us the 1-6-8 boxed as many times as we can punch it before they spring the gates. If an unexpected (as of this writing) rain comes through, we’ll lean heavy on the 2. Good luck to everyone running in The Sword Dancer-G1!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
