This Saturday’s $750,000, Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes event held at Saratoga provides an automatic entry opportunity into the $5 million, Grade 1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf competition scheduled for November. As expected, a noteworthy group of nine horses is participating in this prestigious 1 ½-mile turf contest.
The field is highlighted by #6 Far Bridge, remembered for a leading-from-start-to-finish victory in the 2024 Sword Dancer event. Subsequently, this competitor has secured four additional graded stakes victories, most recently winning Saratoga’s Grade 2 Bowling Green Stakes by a margin of three lengths.
Maintaining a forward position in races is among Far Bridge’s capabilities. The horse frequently competes near the front, which could prove advantageous this Saturday given the limited amount of pace expected in the Sword Dancer race. Combining demonstrated capabilities with a strategic racing style, Far Bridge emerges as a leading contender among the U.S.-based horses.
However, the presence of international challengers might complicate Far Bridge’s aspirations of victory at Saratoga. Both competitors are under the guidance of Charlie Appleby, a trainer noted for significant accomplishments with North American starters over the years.
#5 Nations Pride has been instrumental in securing notable North American victories for Appleby, including the 2022 Grade 1 Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes, the 2023 Grade 1 Canadian International Stakes, and the 2024 Grade 1 Arlington Million Stakes. Having had a period of rest after a 10th-place finish (trailing by just 5 ¾ lengths) in a competitive Group 1 Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World, Nations Pride is expected to face somewhat easier conditions in North America. A top-three placing is anticipated.
#1 El Cordobes presents a potential significant challenge to Far Bridge. Demonstrating steady improvement, the 4-year-old gelding possesses some early speed and achieved a peak performance in the 1 ½-mile Group 2 Kingdom of Bahrain Princess of Wales’s Stakes in England recently, winning by two lengths. For El Cordobes’s North American debut, Eclipse Award-winning jockey Flavien Prat has been secured, suggesting a strong presence as the race turns for home.
It’s recommended that those interested in wagering consider utilizing trifectas and superfectas for the Sword Dancer event. As you formulate your selections, be sure to factor in Far Bridge to secure either a first- or second-place finish. Subsequently, incorporate Nations Pride and El Cordobes across various positions in your betting tickets. Lastly, consider adding #7 El Rezeen, the runner-up from the Bowling Green, for potential third- and fourth-place finishes.
Recommended Bets with a $12 Spend
$1.50 trifecta: 6 with 1,5 with 1,5,7 (total investment: $6)
Verbalize at the betting counter: Saratoga, 10th race, $1.50 trifecta 6 with 1,5 with 1,5,7
$1.50 trifecta: 1,5 with 6 with 1,5,7 (total investment: $6)
Verbalize at the betting counter: Saratoga, 10th race, $1.50 trifecta 1,5 with 6 with 1,5,7
Recommended Bets with a $36 Spend
$3.50 trifecta: 6 with 1,5 with 1,5,7 (total investment: $14)
Verbalize at the betting counter: Saratoga, 10th race, $3.50 trifecta 6 with 1,5 with 1,5,7
$3.50 trifecta: 1,5 with 6 with 1,5,7 (total investment: $14)
Verbalize at the betting counter: Saratoga, 10th 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 investment: $4)
Verbalize at the betting counter: Saratoga, 10th 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 investment: $4)
Verbalize at the betting counter: Saratoga, 10th race, $1 superfecta 1,5 with 6 with 1,5,7 with 1,5,7
We wish you success, and enjoy the event!
