Grade 1 race | |
Location | Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Springs, New York, United States |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1975 |
Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
Website | www.nyra.com |
Race information | |
Distance | 1+1⁄2 miles (12 furlongs) |
Surface | Turf |
Track | Left-handed |
Qualification | Three-year-olds & up |
Weight | Assigned |
Purse | US$1,000,000 (since 2015) [1] |
The Sword Dancer Stakes is an American race for thoroughbred horses, aged three and up, run annually in mid August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. A prep for the Breeders' Cup Turf, it is set at a distance of one and one-half miles (12 furlongs) on the turf. A Grade I event, the race currently offers a purse of $1,000,000.
The Sword Dancer is named for the best three-year-old colt or gelding of 1959, best three-year-old, best handicap horse, and the American Horse of the Year. Sword Dancer was elected to the United States Racing Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York in 1977.
The event was inaugurated at Aqueduct Racetrack in 1975 as a six furlong sprint on dirt for three-year-old horses. Beginning in 1977, it was hosted by Belmont Park then in 1992 was moved to the Saratoga Race Course. Since inception, the Sword Dancer has been contested at various distances:
The race was run as an Invitational Handicap from 1994 to 2014.
In 2000, nine-year-old John's Call became the oldest horse to win this race.
Speed record: (at current distance of 1+1⁄2 miles)
Most wins:
Most wins by an owner:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance (Miles) | Time | Grade |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Bolshoi Ballet (IRE) | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Aidan O'Brien | Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor & Derrick Smith | 1-1/2 | 2:29.29 | I |
2022 | Gufo | 5 | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement | Otter Bend Stables | 1-1/2 | 2:28.92 | I |
2021 | Gufo | 4 | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement | Otter Bend Stables | 1-1/2 | 2.28.30 | I |
2020 | Channel Maker | 6 | Manuel Franco | William Mott | Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber Et Al | 1-1/2 | 2:34.86 | I |
2019 | Annals of Time | 6 | Javier Castellano | Chad C. Brown | Klaravich Stables, Inc. & William H. Lawrence | 1-1/2 | 2:27.50 | I |
2018 | Glorious Empire | 7 | Julien Leparoux | James L. Lawrence, II | Matthew Schera | 1-1/2 | 2:24.41 | I |
2017 | Sadler's Joy | 4 | Julien Leparoux | Thomas Albertrani | Woodslane Farm | 1-1/2 | 2:24.58 | I |
2016 | Flintshire (GB) | 6 | Javier Castellano | Chad C. Brown | Juddmonte Farms | 1-1/2 | 2:23.45 | I |
2015 | Flintshire (GB) | 5 | Vincent Cheminaud | André Fabre | Juddmonte Farms | 1-1/2 | 2:23.77 | I |
2014 | Main Sequence | 5 | Rajiv Maragh | H. Graham Motion | Flaxman Holdings | 1-1/2 | 2:24.72 | I |
2013 | Big Blue Kitten | 5 | Joe Bravo | Chad C. Brown | Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey | 1-1/2 | 2:26.46 | I |
2012 | Point of Entry | 4 | John Velazquez | Claude R. McGaughey III | Phipps Stable | 1-1/2 | 2:26.40 | I |
2011 | Winchester | 6 | Cornelio Velásquez | Christophe Clement | Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Firestone | 1-1/2 | 2:26.74 | I |
2010 | Telling | 6 | Garrett Gomez | Steve Hobby | Alex & JoAnn Lieblong | 1-1/2 | 2:25.29 | I |
2009 | Telling | 5 | Javier Castellano | Steve Hobby | Alex & JoAnn Lieblong | 1-1/2 | 2:25.43 | I |
2008 | Grand Couturier | 5 | Alan Garcia | Robert Ribaudo | Marc Keller | 1-1/2 | 2:32.21 | I |
2007 | Grand Couturier | 4 | Calvin Borel | Robert Ribaudo | Marc Keller | 1-1/2 | 2:26.59 | I |
2006 | Go Deputy | 6 | Eibar Coa | Todd Pletcher | Wertheimer et Frère | 1-1/2 | 2:26.78 | I |
2005 | King's Drama | 5 | Jorge Chavez | Robert J. Frankel | Gary A. Tanaka | 1-1/2 | 2:27.38 | I |
2004 | Better Talk Now | 5 | Ramon Domínguez | H. Graham Motion | Bushwood Stables | 1-1/2 | 2:28.49 | I |
2003 | Whitmore's Conn | 5 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Randy Schulhofer | Michael & Lynn Shanley | 1-1/2 | 2:28.14 | I |
2002 | With Anticipation | 7 | Pat Day | Jonathan Sheppard | Augustin Stable | 1-1/2 | 2:24.06 | I |
2001 | With Anticipation | 6 | Pat Day | Jonathan Sheppard | Augustin Stable | 1-1/2 | 2:26.41 | I |
2000 | John's Call | 9 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Thomas H. Voss | Trillium Stable | 1-1/2 | 2:32.17 | I |
1999 | Honor Glide | 5 | José A. Santos | Christophe Clement | Robert G. Schaedle | 1-1/2 | 2:28.23 | I |
1998 | Cetewayo | 4 | John Velazquez | Michael Dickinson | John A. Chandler | 1-1/2 | 2:29.56 | I |
1997 | Awad | 7 | Pat Day | David G. Donk | Ryehill Farm | 1-1/2 | 2:23.20 | I |
1996 | Broadway Flyer | 5 | Mike E. Smith | William I. Mott | Sultan & Bienstock | 1-1/2 | 2:32.08 | I |
1995 | Kiri's Clown | 6 | Mike Luzzi | Philip G. Johnson | Cobble View Stable | 1-1/2 | 2:25.08 | I |
1994 | Alex The Great | 5 | Pat Valenzuela | Rodney Rash | Vistas Stables | 1-1/2 | 2:28.66 | I |
1993 | Spectacular Tide | 4 | Julie Krone | Stanley M. Hough | Royal Lines Stable | 1-1/2 | 2:30.39 | I |
1992 | Fraise | 4 | Jerry Bailey | William I. Mott | Madeleine Paulson | 1-1/2 | 2:25.88 | I |
1991 | Dr. Root | 4 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Vincent L. Blengs | Barry K. Schwartz | 1-1/2 | 2:25.43 | I |
1990 | El Senor | 6 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | William W. Wright | William W. Wright | 1-1/2 | 2:28.00 | I |
1989 | El Senor | 5 | Herb McCauley | William W. Wright | Frances W. Luro | 1-1/2 | 2:27.00 | I |
1988 | Anka Germania | 6 | Craig Perret | Tom Skiffington | Fernwood Stable | 1-1/2 | 2:32.20 | I |
1987 | Theatrical | 5 | Pat Day | William I. Mott | Bertram R. Firestone | 1-1/2 | 2:26.00 | I |
1986 | Southern Sultan | 5 | Robbie Davis | Ross Pearce | Buckland Farm | 1-1/2 | 2:39.60 | I |
1985 | Tri For Size | 4 | Robert Thibeau Jr. | Michael Sedlacek | Rory Green Stable | 1-1/2 | 2:33.20 | I |
1984 | Majesty's Prince | 5 | Eddie Maple | Joseph B. Cantey | John DeWitt Marsh | 1-1/2 | 2:31.00 | I |
1983 | Majesty's Prince | 4 | Eddie Maple | Joseph B. Cantey | John DeWitt Marsh | 1-1/2 | 2:34.40 | II |
1982 | Lemhi Gold | 4 | Chris McCarron | Lazaro S. Barrera | Aaron U. Jones | 1-1/2 | 2:26.00 | II |
1981 | John Henry | 6 | Bill Shoemaker | Lefty Nickerson | Dotsam Stable | 1-1/2 | 2:26.80 | III |
1980 | Tiller | 6 | Ruben Hernandez | David A. Whiteley | William Haggin Perry | 1-1/2 | 2:25.20 | |
1979 | Darby Creek Road | 4 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Howard M. Tesher | H. Joseph Allen | 1-1/16 | 1:41.60 | |
1978 | True Colors | 4 | Michael Venezia | Willard C. Freeman | Robert Billips | 1-1/16 | 1:41.00 | |
1977 | Effervescing | 4 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | John W. Russell | Ogden Phipps | 1-1/16 | 1:39.60 | |
1976 | Arabian Law | 3 | Jacinto Vásquez | David A. Whiteley | Lazy F Ranch | 6 fur. | 1:10.60 | |
1975 | Gallant Bob | 3 | Gerard Gallitano | Joseph Marquette | Robert Horton | 6 fur. | 1:09.60 |
Affirmed was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who is the eleventh winner of the American Triple Crown. Affirmed was well known for his famous rivalry with Alydar, whom he met ten times, including Alydar coming second in each of the three 1978 Triple Crown races. After Affirmed won the Triple Crown, there was a 37-year wait until American Pharoah swept the series in 2015.
The Manhattan Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race raced annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is named for Manhattan, the principal borough of the City of New York. Currently offering a purse of $1,000,000, the Grade I Manhattan Stakes is open to 4-year-olds & up, and is run on turf over the classic distance of 1+1⁄4 miles.
The Long Island Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in November at Aqueduct Racetrack, in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. The race is for fillies and mares, age three and up, willing to race the one and one-half miles on the turf.
The Red Smith Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. A race on turf open to horses age three and older, it is typically run in November over a distance of 1+3⁄8 miles.
The Futurity Stakes, commonly referred to as the Belmont Futurity, is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid-September or October at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, United States. Open to two-year-old horses, it is raced on turf over a distance of six furlongs.
The New York Stakes is a Grade I American thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares aged four-years-old and older run over a distance of one and one-quarter miles on the turf scheduled annually in early June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The current purse is $600,000.
The Sunset Handicap was an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the third week of July at Hollywood Park Racetrack in inglewood, California. The Grade III event is open to horses, age three and up, willing to race one and one-half miles on turf. With the closure of Hollywood Park at the end of 2013 the Sunset Handicap ceased to exist.
The San Luis Rey Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Held during the third week of March, the Grade III event is open to horses of either gender, age four and up, willing to race one and one-half miles on the turf. The race normally begins on Santa Anita's downhill chute; from this position horses race down the hill and cross the dirt track before running one complete lap of the main turf course.
The Santa Barbara Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. A Listed event open to fillies and mares, age four and older, it is contested of turf over a distance of one and a half miles.
The Las Cienegas Stakes is a Grade III American thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age four and up over a distance of about six and one-half furlongs on the Hillside Turf Course held annually in January at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, USA. The event currently offers a purse of US$100,000.
The Ballston Spa Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are four years old or older over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the turf course scheduled annually in late July or early August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The event currently carries a purse of $300,000.
Deputy Minister was a Canadian-bred Thoroughbred horse racing Champion. At age two, he won eight out of his nine starts and was voted both the Sovereign and Eclipse Awards for Champion 2-Year-Old in Canada and the United States respectively. He also received Canada's Sovereign Award for Horse of the Year. Although his three-year-old campaign was restricted by injury, Deputy Minister rebounded at age four with several major wins.
The Knickerbocker Stakes is an American Grade III race on turf for Thoroughbred horses run each year at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The Knickerbocker is open to three-year-olds and up, and set at a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles. Run in mid October, it currently offers a purse of $200,000.
Better Talk Now was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the Breeders' Cup Turf in 2004. His racing career stretched over nine seasons, during which he won 14 times, five of them Grade I stakes, with earnings of over $4.3 million.
The Tokyo City Cup Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at the beginning of April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. A Grade III event raced on dirt at a distance of 1+1⁄2 miles, it is open to horses aged four and older.
The Valedictory Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually in late November or early December at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Open to horses age three and older, the Grade III stakes is contested on a synthetic "all weather" surface over a distance of 1+1⁄2 miles.
The Very One Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Open to fillies and mares three years old and up, it is contested over a distance of five furlongs on turf.
Tiller was an American thoroughbred racehorse. Racing mainly on turf he won sixteen of his forty races between February 1977 and September 1980. He was not a champion, but won many important races and defeated many of the best racehorses of his era including Exceller and John Henry.
Big Blue Kitten is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who specialises in turf races. Unraced as a juvenile, he finished third on his debut in 2011 and then went on a five race winning streak, culminating in a victory in the Grade II National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes. After winning one minor race as a four-year-old he emerged as a top-class turf performer in 2013 when his wins included the United Nations Stakes and the Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes. His only win of consequence in 2014 came in the Lure Stakes but he returned to his best as a seven-year-old in 2015 winning the Fort Marcy Handicap, a second United Nations Stakes and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes. Apart from his victories he finished second in the Arlington Million and third in the Breeders' Cup Turf. His performances earned him the title of American Champion Male Turf Horse for 2015.
The Troy Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old and older over the distance of 5+1⁄2 furlongs on the turf scheduled annually in August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The event currently carries a purse of $300,000.