In case you’re aware of Sword Dancer by means of the stakes named in his honor at Saratoga, then you might not know the actual story behind the horse.
The Sword Dancer Stakes, run in late August, is a Grade 1 occasion that’s an altogether becoming tribute to the good champion of the Fifties.
Besides that it’s on grass, which could spawn the mistaken perception that Sword Dancer was an distinctive turf horse.
Sorry.
Although he ran on turf, Sword Dancer was a champion on filth who received races just like the Belmont Stakes, Travers, Woodward, Jockey Membership Gold Cup, and Metropolitan Handicap and was concerned in one of the vital hotly contested editions of the Kentucky Derby within the race’s lengthy and storied historical past.
Born in 1956, Sword Dancer raced for the Brookmeade Secure of Dodge car heiress Isabel Dodge Sloane and was skilled by future Corridor of Famer J. Elliott Burch. The smallish son of Sunglow was something however distinctive at 2, profitable simply three of 14 begins.
However at 3, he thrived on the added distance in main races. He received the Stepping Stone Purse every week earlier than the Kentucky Derby beneath jockey Invoice Shoemaker, however Shoemaker was dedicated to journey Calumet Farm’s Tomy Lee within the run for roses and Invoice Boland was given the journey aboard Sword Dancer – setting the stage for the drama to come back on a blistering scorching, 90-degree Could afternoon at Churchill Downs.
Sword Dancer was despatched off at 8-1 within the Derby and tracked in fourth within the early phases as Tomy Lee dueled for the lead with mutuel-field runner Troilus.
Approaching the quarter pole, Boland and Sword Dancer made their transfer and surged to a half-length lead turning for residence. However simply when it appeared Sword Dancer was headed to victory, Tomy Lee battled again within him.
The 2 horses then staged a livid and memorable battle to the end line. The 2 exchanged bumps as Boland and Shoemaker strained to get each ounce of velocity out of their horses. They hit the wire collectively in a blanket end however within the ultimate stride Tomy Lee managed to push his nostril throughout the wire by the slimmest of margins. Two years after he misjudged the end line within the 1957 Kentucky Derby, Shoemaker discovered atonement on Tomy Lee following a determined, no-holds-barred stretch drive.
Boland claimed foul, however after 17 minutes of deliberation it was disallowed.
1959 Kentucky Derby
When Tomy Lee didn’t run within the Preakness, Shoemaker was as soon as once more put aboard Sword Dancer they usually completed second within the center jewel of the Triple Crown.
A win within the Metropolitan Handicap sharpened Sword Dancer’s velocity after which at a mile and a half within the Belmont Stakes – the identical distance because the Spa’s Sword Dancer Stakes – all the pieces fell into place as he captured the “Take a look at of the Champion” by rather less than a size.
Sword Dancer then closed out 1959 in grand type, registering wins within the Travers, Jockey Membership Gold Cup, Woodward – beating Hillsdale and 1958 Horse of the 12 months Spherical Desk – and Monmouth Cup. At 12 months’s finish he was rewarded for his distinctive marketing campaign by being named Horse of the 12 months by all three voting our bodies in addition to the champion 3-year-old male.
Returned to the races at 4 in 1960, Sword Dancer was unable to maintain the brilliance he displayed a 12 months earlier. He received solely 4 of 12 begins, although he managed to win the Suburban in monitor file time and the Woodward for a second straight 12 months.
He was retired after struggling an ankle damage within the Man o’ Conflict and was a hit at stud, siring Corridor of Fame runner Damascus in addition to Girl Pitt, the champion 3-year-old filly of 1966.
In 1977, he was given racing’s highest honor when he was voted into the Racing Corridor of Fame.
A spot within the Corridor of Fame. Wins within the Belmont Stakes, Travers, and Jockey Membership Gold Cup. Two wins within the Woodward.
Not dangerous in any respect for a horse some may think about a turf star.
Word: This story was initially revealed in August 2016 and has been up to date.
Enjoyable Details
- Sword Dancer was inducted into the Nationwide Museum of Racing and Corridor of Fame in 1977.
- The 1959 Kentucky Derby additionally featured Meadow Secure’s First Touchdown, the champion 2-year-old colt of 1958 and the sire of Kentucky Derby/Belmont Stakes winner Riva Ridge, and Silver Spoon, the champion 2-year-old filly of 1958.
- Brookmeade tried to promote Sword Dancer within the spring of his 3-year-old season however nobody accepted their asking worth of $200,000.
- Sword Dancer received 15 of his 39 begins, with seven seconds, and 4 thirds for earnings of $829,610.
