Sword Dancer

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday's $500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational S. (G1) at Saratoga features a

talented cast of 10 turf marathoners, headlined by two-time defending champion

GRAND COUTURIER (GB) (Grand Lodge). While the Bobby Ribaudo charge is eligible

to return to his best in his third start of the season, and at his favorite

spot, we're hesitant to back the 3-1 morning-line choice. Grand Couturier is

attempting what no one else has ever managed to do: win a third Sword Dancer.

Rather than try to buck history, we'd prefer to look elsewhere for our top

selection.

The fresh face of AMERICAIN (Dynaformer), who will be making his U.S. debut

for Todd Pletcher, offers an intriguing alternative to the usual cadre of

veterans. Formerly based in France, the Wertheimer et Frere homebred has been

plying his trade over considerably longer distances this season, most recently

scoring in the 15 1/2-furlong Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (Fr-G2) at Longchamp. He's

no plodder, however, for he placed third in a one-mile listed event as a

juvenile, and he won the Prix de l'Avre at this 12-furlong distance last year.

Americain flopped in his only prior attempt at the top level, checking in 11th

of 13 in the Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-G1) last summer, but the dark bay deserves

another shot. He has been training sharply, posting a five-furlong drill in :59

3/5 over the firm course last Sunday, and he will receive first-time Lasix. John

Velazquez will team up with Americain, who has shown some tactical speed in

France.

Grand Couturier has looked terrific in his two Sword Dancer victories. An

upset winner over eventual turf champion English Channel here in 2007, the bay

overcame considerable trouble to win convincingly again in 2008. He has captured

only one other race in the past two years, but it was sensational -- a 10

1/4-length romp over yielding ground in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational

(G1) last fall. Grand Couturier won't get those conditions on Saturday, but he

will surely appreciate stepping back up to 1 1/2 miles for the first time this

season. Brought along specifically with this race in mind, the six-year-old

finished a creditable fifth in the Monmouth S. and the Man o' War S. (G1) most

recently, and he should turn in a stronger effort from off the pace for Alan

Garcia.

German/Italian highweight QUIJANO (Ger) (Acatenango) is another who ought to

relish the added ground of the Sword Dancer. Fresh off his second straight score

in the Gran Premio di Milano (Ity-G1), the Peter Schiergen veteran shipped to

Belmont and finished a steadily closing third in the 1 3/8-mile Man o' War. The

seven-year-old gelding will be conceding weight as he shoulders the top impost

of 123 pounds, but he figures to keep grinding away beneath regular rider

Andrasch Starke.

We could be seriously underestimating LAURO (Ger) (Monsun), the only horse to

get within hailing distance in Presious Passion's (Royal Anthem) course

record-smashing romp in the United Nations S. (G1). Trained by Andreas Wohler,

the dark bay has plenty of early foot and could end up setting the pace himself.

Our only concern with Lauro is the 1 1/2-mile distance. Although he landed the

Prix de l'Avre as a sophomore, Lauro has been well beaten in his two subsequent

tries at the trip. We won't be shocked if he answers this criticism, and at 10-1

on the morning line, he could be a sleeper.

MUSKETIER (Ger) (Acatenango) is in career-best form at present for Roger

Attfield. A four-length romper in the Singspiel S. (Can-G3) two back, the gray

turned in a strong front-running effort in the Man o' War, beating everyone

except the streaking Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat). As impressive as that appears

on paper, we're not convinced that he can repeat the effort at Saratoga.

Musketier could find it a bit harder to shrug off Lauro's pace pressure in the

Sword Dancer, and over the extra furlong, he's not likely to keep the classy

closers at bay. Jono Jones, who has given the seven-year-old picture-perfect

rides, will be back at the helm.

The 10-year-old BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin Man), victor of the 2004 Sword Dancer

and a solid runner-up last year, will be charging late beneath Ramon Dominguez.

The Graham Motion charge was last seen finishing a rallying third to Gio Ponti

in the Manhattan H. (G1), and if he can summon up a similar closing kick, he can

grab a piece of the purse. On the other hand, Better Talk Now is not consistent

enough for us to back altogether confidently, and he tends to leave himself too

much to do. BRASS HAT (Prized), another popular old-timer, has found the

fountain of youth in this division. He has done little wrong of late, but we

have the nagging sense that he's just not up to winning a race of this caliber.

RISING MOON (Runaway Groom) would be an attractive contender in the unlikely

event of the Sword Dancer being rained off the turf. The Richard Dutrow trainee

is a hard-knocking type on the dirt, but he hasn't raced on the turf since

breaking his maiden more than two years ago. Although Rising Moon is proven at

the distance, he's an unknown quantity at this level on the grass. TELLING (A.P.

Indy), twice Grade 3-placed at this distance, has class concerns in this spot.

Multiple Illinois-bred stakes winner GENTLEMAN CHESTER (Chester House) was a

respectable second to Just as Well (A.P. Indy) in the Arlington H. (G3) in his

latest, but this is an entirely different league.