Flintshire lives up to expectations in Sword Dancer

As just about everyone’s single, Flintshire justified 1-5 favoritism with an emphatic repeat victory in Saturday’s Sword Dancer Invitational (G1) at Saratoga. The Juddmonte homebred retained his position as the divisional leader ahead of the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), and he’s paid his way there by taking this “Win and You’re In.”

Flintshire was given a double assist by pacemaker Inordinate. Rushing up after flubbing the start, Inordinate made amends by forcing a quick opening quarter in :23.18, and set fractions of :46.16, 1:11.04, and 1:36.11. Meanwhile, Flintshire was anchored at the rear by Javier Castellano, who insisted on taking the inside route leading up to the final turn. But fans needn’t have worried, for Aaron Gryder on Inordinate completed his job by coming out a path and giving Flintshire the right of way.

The race was over in a couple of strides, as Flintshire bounded away. Still under a hand ride across the wire, the globetrotting veteran clocked a superb 2:23.45 for 1 1/2 miles on the firm inner turf.

Trainer Chad Brown celebrated the exacta, as Money Multiplier got up for a clear second. The venerable Twilight Eclipse checked in third, recording his fourth consecutive placing in this race. Grand Tito was fourth. Inordinate, Roman Approval, and Applicator rounded out the order of finish.

There was a trainer’s objection into the early proceedings. Mike Maker, who conditions Roman Approval, claimed foul against Inordinate for his maneuver to get to the front, but the stewards took no action.

Flintshire photo courtesy of Jessie Holmes/EquiSport Photos