The Sword Dancer – GI [BC]
8/24/19
SAR Race 7 1 1/2M – Turf
Purse $850.000
Three Year Olds and Up

A field of ten turf runners has been entered for this years running of the grade one Sword Dancer here at Saratoga. It is a Breeders Cup Win and You’re In race for the Breeders Cup Turf later this year. Let’s take a look at the field.

1. Jamie Mach (28-11-3-4 $776.760), trained by RNP Stables

The first runner in the field is entering this race off of two easy wins in a row. He won the grade two Bowling Green Handicap by four lengths in his last start and crushed them that day. If he can repeat that last race he might not be able to be beat.

2. Techfluence (39-14-6-9 $2610.890), trained by The Sidley Stud

The most experienced runner in the field right here is coming into this race off of a third place finish in the grade two Belmont Gold Cup. Before that he won the grade one Man O War at Belmont also. He will have a very good chance in this if he can run like his recent grade one win.

3. Italian Syndicate (12-1-1-3 $46.240), trained by D J C Racing Stables

This next horse is making quite a bit of a change in this race as he is going from sprinting on the dirt to routing on the turf. He hasn’t done anything in two starts on the turf and he seems a lot better sprinting. I don’t really see him having much of a chance.

4. On The Spot (16-5-3-4 $848.000), trained by Mb Stables

The first of two for Mb Stables right here and this horse just ran a not so great sixth in the grade two Read Stakes. Before that he did win the grade two Whittingham by a nose so he can compete with this field. He will have to run a big race to win this race.

5. Barton Rovers (14-5-2-3 $422.550), trained by Maxmillion Farm

Another graded stakes winner right here but this horse has not been in his best from in his last two starts. Two unplaced finishes that he has not been close in are not a good sign at all. He will need a big turnaround to have any shot at winning this race.

6. Early Retirement (17-7-5-1 $4843.600), trained by Mb Stables

Last years Breeders Cup Turf winner has been alright this year but that last start was a very good race for him as he won the grade one Manhattan last out. He ran very well that day and showed that he still has it. If he runs like he did last out he will be very tough in here.

7. Video Master (28-8-4-6 $382.740), trained by Aer Stables

The oldest horse in the field right here is coming into this race off of a second place finish in the grade two Nijinsky at Woodbine. He ran pretty good that day but this is a step up in class from that race. He will have to run a very big race to win in here.

8. Happy Model (14-3-6-4 $362.970), trained by Estero Farms

Another one that is coming out of the grade two Belmont Gold Cup right here and this horse ran second in there. He has been knocking on the door in most of his grade stakes tries up to now. I think he can have a chance but he will need to run a huge race.

9. Taniwha (20-8-4-2 $1581.460), trained by Aml Racing

The next runner in the field also ran in the grade two Belmont Gold Cup and he won that race. He did win a wide open allowance race at Louisiana Downs as a prep for this race so he should be ready to roll. He looks pretty tough in this race.

10. Call Me Spanish (21-4-4-3 $799.100), trained by Maxmillion Farm

The last runner in the field and second for Maxmillion Farm right here is coming into this race off of a second place finish in the grade one Manhattan. He ran a very good race that day to get second. If he runs like that here he could have a good chance.

Summary

Well a very good field here but that is expected for a race of this prestige and quality. You could make a case for more than half of the field at least. My top pick goes to Early Retirement but he is beatable. Good luck to all in the field.

6-1-9-2

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES