Annals of Time Carves Path to Victory in Sword Dancer
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Annals of Time comes on late to win the Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
In his first graded stakes race since 2016, Annals of Time was not about to squander the opportunity to prove he still has what it takes.
The 6-year-old son of Temple City's impressive turn of foot was on full display for the Saratoga Race Course audience Aug. 24, when he rallied six wide in the lane to win the $850,000 Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T) by a neck.
South American transplant and Annals of Time stablemate Ya Primo took command of the field with relative ease from the break and set the pace on the rail in the 1 1/2-mile Sword Dancer. Channel Maker got up to press the leader early, and the two were locked in battle through most of the backstretch.
Rounding the clubhouse turn, Channel Cat moved up three wide to come on even terms with Ya Primo and Channel Maker. Three abreast at the top of the stretch, the trio were soon challenged by the rallying pair of Sadler's Joy and Annals of Time on the far outside. Noble Thought made his own bid for the lead up the rail but was unable to find an opening in the pack.
Ya Primo's lead began to wane in the final furlongs, and Annals of Time and Sadler's Joy surged to the front. Channel Maker and Channel Cat continued their drive but did not have enough in reserve to catch the top two. Annals of Time got his neck in front of Sadler's Joy at the wire and was declared the winner following a photo review.
The final time was 2:27.50 on turf rated firm.
"When he tipped out, I thought we had a good chance because he has a really good, strong closing kick," said trainer Chad Brown. "But it was a little tight near the finish. I'm glad he got up in time."
"He's a good horse. I don't know if I've seen a horse that, no matter if the pace is slow or fast, he always finishes really well," winning jockey Javier Castellano said of the horse owned by Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence. "I'm very proud of him. Some horses have to have pace in the race, but this horse doesn't need one.
"You can see the pace was very slow, but he still responded and passed all the horses. I took my time. It's a mile and a half, and it's the first time he's gone a mile and a half. You don't want to rush it to be close to the pace. I rode with a lot of patience, and it paid off today."
Sadler's Joy, who won the 2017 Sword Dancer and finished sixth last year, was followed by Channel Cat in third.
"He ran his race—much the best of the rest of the field," said Sadler's Joy's trainer, Thomas Albertrani. "We'll go to the (Joe Hirsch) Turf Classic (G1) next and see if we can just change the order there. It was a very good effort, though."
Channel Maker took fourth, followed by Noble Thought, Pillar Mountain, Proven Reserves, Tiz Morning, and Ya Primo.
Annals of Time's only other top-level score came at 3 when he took the 2016 Hollywood Derby (G1T) at Del Mar in similar fashion, splitting rivals late in the lane to rally for a 1 1/2-length win. He raced once at 4 before being sidelined for the entirety of 2018. He raced twice in allowance company leading up to the Sword Dancer, placing second and first.
A Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" event, the Sword Dancer awarded Annals of Time an automatic berth in the Nov. 2 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T).
"It's been a real team effort," Brown said. "A guy named Nick de Meric down in Ocala picked him out as a baby, and every time he has gone to the sidelines, he's gone to rehab with him and his team. He sent him back to us, now as a 6-year-old, in fine shape. We finally have had an uninterrupted training schedule and campaign with him. He's back to his old form when he won the Hollywood Derby when he was a 3-year-old. He's probably better now, so I'm just so grateful to have him back healthy."
Bred in Kentucky by Monticule, Annals of Time was the last foal born to the Distant View mare Lemon Haze, who also produced stakes winner Sharp Sally. He was purchased for $80,000 in 2014 by de Meric, agent, from Monticule's consignment to The October Sale, Fasig-Tipton's Kentucky fall yearling sale. His record now stands at 5-2-1 from eight starts, with $860,300 in earnings.