Horse Racing: Sword Dancer Stakes Offshore Odds, Preview, and Picks (2024)

The Grade One action on a star-studded day at Saratoga on Saturday gets underway on the turf with the G1 Sword Dancer Stakes. This contest is run over a distance of 1 ½ miles, with the winner likely to be among the front-runners for the Breeders’ Cup Turf in November.

Before Betting On Sword Dancer Stakes

The Sword Dancer Stakes has been a key trial for the Breeders’ Cup Turf since being introduced in 1975. A talented field has competed over the 12-furlong distance on the turf since 1980, with the runners competing for their share of the $1 million purse. Bolshoi Ballet was the latest international raider to claim success in the Sword Dancer in 2023.

A strong hand of international runners once again set the standard this year, with Godolphin-owned Measured Time and Silver Knott representing the Charlie Appleby yard. The latter has been a consistent runner on U.S. soil throughout his career, and he has been dominant on his last three starts. The latest of those saw him feature just under three lengths clear of Soldier Rising in the G2 Bowling Green Stakes at Saratoga.

However, Measured Time will likely go off as the favorite on Saturday, with William Buick opting for the four-year-old. Measured Time was incredibly impressive over a mile and one on his previous start at Saratoga, finishing two lengths clear of stablemate Nations Pride in the G1 Manhattan. On ratings, and form, he looks hard to oppose.

Soldier Rising could be the fascinating runner in the field after returning to the track with an impressive second behind Silver Knott on his previous outing. That was his first start since taking second behind Master Piece in the G2 Red Smith Stakes last year. However, there are clear questions to answer now back in trip.

Sword Dancer Stakes Odds & Picks

The Godolphin runners look hard to oppose in the Sword Dancer this weekend, and an exacta box including Silver Knott and Measured Time looks like an incredibly safe play. However, the slight preference is for the latter, who looks tailor-made for this test at Saratoga on Saturday.

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