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Sword Dancer features a familiar group

Sword Dancer features a familiar group
By the NY Hot List Staff // Friday, August 28

Unlike last year, when the male turf division had a superstar in Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar, the 2020 grouping is more like a wheel of fortune. Spin it and let’s see who wins this time. Of the field of eight, four of them competed in the Bowling Green Stakes (G2) earlier this month and the foursome was separated by just two lengths at the wire. There was even a disqualification which dropped Sadler’s Joy from first to fourth and elevated Cross Border into the win spot. How will it turn out this time in the Sword Dancer Stakes (G1)? Let’s spin the wheel and find out.

Here’s the Hot List picks for the Sword Dancer Stakes:

The $500,000 Sword Dancer Stakes, Saratoga, Saturday, Race 9.

(2) Aquaphobia broke through with a Grade 1 victory in the United Nations at Monmouth Park for trainer Michael Maker and is a new face amongst this group. (8) Sadler’s Joy was part of a rough stretch run when he crossed the finish line in first but was disqualified and placed fourth. That was his first win since November. (6) Cross Border was the beneficiary of the disqualification in the Bowling Green when he finished just behind Sadler’s Joy but was then placed first after getting bumped and steadied. Clearly, those two are back for a contentious rematch in the Sword Dancer (G1). (7) Pedro Cara is another new face amongst this group who will make his second start in the America after winning a Group 2 in the Middle East back in December. He did run second in the Jockey Club Derby Invitational at Belmont Park in September for Graham Motion missing the win in a head bob.

Analysis of the other New York Hot List races from the Saturday Saratoga card, including the Special Saturday Pick 3 and the Forego (G1), is available free of charge at this website.