By Joe Bianca
Absent the imposing presence of its conqueror in 2015 and 2016, Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}), an evenly-matched field of seven will go postward in Saturday's GI Longines Sword Dancer Invitational S. at Saratoga, with two European invaders taking on five American hard-knockers.
Flaxman Holdings' Erupt (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will try to make it two-for-two in North America after shipping in for a 12-1 upset of the GI Pattison Canadian International last October at Woodbine. That score is the bay's only victory in 11 starts since beginning his career with four straight triumphs, including in the G1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris back in July of 2015. He's been off the board in three starts since his Toronto heroics and will have to bounce back from essentially being eased when ninth last out in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud July 2.
“He seems to have shipped well and has been training well,” trainer Francis-Henri Graffard told the NYRA notes team. “The ground was way too soft last time in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.”
Coolmore's Idaho (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was fifth in the Canadian International in his only prior North American start, but comes in with better form than his fellow European, having won the G2 Hardwick S. June 24 at Ascot before running third in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. there July 29. The full-brother to multiple-continent star Highland Reel (Ire) was beaten just three-quarters of a length that day by Ulysses (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who returned to capture the G1 Juddmonte International S. Wednesday at York.
The top three finishers from the GII Bowling Green S. here July 29 will return to contest the Sword Dancer, with 16-1 upsetter Hunter O'Riley (Tiz Wonderful) leading the way. That was a career-best for the riddling, who had been off the board in his three previous graded stakes tries, and will need help up front as a deep closer. Bowling Green third finisher Sadler's Joy (Kitten's Joy) finds himself in a similar predicament, while runner-up Bigger Picture (Badge of Silver) possesses a bit more tactical speed.
America's best hope may be Money Multiplier (Lookin At Lucky), who picked up his first graded victory last out in the GII Monmouth S. July 30 after placing in five previous graded events. One of those earlier placings was in this event, as he finished second to Flintshire with a 109 Beyer despite traffic trouble. That figure is easily the top number in this field, and he may be able to get back to it making his second start off a near nine-month layoff.
“He ran a great race last year in the Sword Dancer and he was a bit unlucky in there,” trainer Chad Brown said. “He seems to be training really well, so I'm excited for him to get another chance at it.”
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