How to bet with, and against, Broome in the Sword Dancer Stakes

Yibir (left) edges out Broome (right) to win the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar (Photo by Horsephotos)

August 25th, 2022

A deep field of 10 will vie in Saturday’s $750,000 Sword Dancer S. (G1) at Saratoga. The 1 1/2-mile contest over the inner grass course attracted six Grade or Group 1 winners, including morning-line choice #3 Broome (3-1) for Irish conditioner Aidan O’Brien.

The six-year-old son of Australia has been a hard-knocking type overseas for some time and was fantastic in his runner-up performance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) at Del Mar in the fall. Broome has been facing some serious runners this campaign, and he earned his first 2022 tally when streaking home a clear winner of the S. (G2) at Royal Ascot two starts back.

Broome is not especially swift from the gate, but he does have a measure of tactical speed, and his acceleration can be electric as he displayed at Del Mar in November. It is a major positive that Ryan Moore comes in to retain the mount, too.

A case can be made for any of the other contenders in the field, including $3.6 million earner #9 Channel Maker (8-1). The ageless eight-year-old is not overly consistent, and he is not a sure thing on the surface where he sports a two-for-eight mark, but the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) third-placer is a major player on his best day. He will track the pace from second early to the top of the lane when getting first run beneath regular rider Luis Saez.

#6 Gufo (9-2) puts the blinkers back on for Saturday in hopes of defending his title in the race. Conditioned by Christophe Clement, the chestnut has been in decent form with a 4-1-1-1 mark this campaign, and he doesn’t need to improve much to have a big say in the outcome of the event. The five-year-old son of Declaration of War will be making his run from well off of the early tempo with Joel Rosario in the silks.

Of the trio entered for Chad Brown, I give the best chance to recent United Nations S. (G1) victor #1 Adhamo (7-2). The four-year-old son of Intello was a very good second in the Manhattan S. (G1) two back and enters while in fine form for this potent outfit. The Irish-bred chestnut draws well on the rail, and I also like that Flavien Prat will be in the irons once again.