Flintshire Does it Again in the Sword Dancer with a Strong Kick

He couldn’t be stopped by a wall of horses last time out and today he refused to quit when trapped on the rail. After biding his time at the back of the field, the mighty turf horse Flintshire found an opening on the rail and spurted away to another strong victory in the $1 million Grade 1 Longines Sword Dancer Stakes, keeping his Saratoga record a perfect three-for-three.

Kicking off the 1 ½ mile turf race for three-year-olds and up, Roman Approval was the one to get the jump out of the gate. Flintshire’s stablemate Inordinate, though slow to start, caught up with the leader at the end of the first opening quarter in :23.18. Roman Approval was taken back while Inordinate went on to lead the field through the first mile in fractions of :46.16, 1:11.04, and 1:36.11. Applicator started well back in third with Grand Tito behind him in fourth. Money Multiplier was patient in the fifth position while Twilight Eclipse and Flintshire saved all their running for later.

With half a mile left to run, the rest of the field had caught up to Inordinate and Flintshire was winding up on the inside. Although he seemed pinched for running room, jockey Javier Castellano did not let Flintshire miss his chance at an opening and the pair surged forward to the front. The six-year-old son of Dansili showed off his powerful kick and came home strong to run 1 ¼ miles in 2:00.74 and hit the wire in 2:23.45, just off the track record of 2:23.20.

Trainer Chad Brown went one-two with Money Multiplier running a game second 1 ¾ lengths behind Flintshire. Veteran runner Twilight Eclipse closed fast for third and was followed by Grand Tito, Inordinate, Roman Approval, and Applicator. Flintshire paid $2.40 and $2.10 as the 1-5 favorite while Money Multiplier brought $2.90 at 5-1. There was no show wagering.

Brown commented, “Aaron Gryder [aboard Inordinate] did a fabulous job as the pacesetter. Still [Flintshire] had trouble in the back. Javier [Castellano] decided to go on the inside and it turned out to be the right decision. I've never seen anything like him outside of Lady Eli. He's the greatest horse I've ever seen. 

“He came to me a great racehorse. I just try to keep him happy and healthy. Give credit to my team. They have kept him in top form.”

“I am very lucky and fortunate,” said Castellano. “The way I rode this horse [I tried] to save some ground.  Everyone ended up in the same position and I had to make my own decision and use my best judgment and it worked out. I was very lucky to go and cut through on the rail and accelerate. He is a phenomenal horse. I've never seen any horse with that much acceleration on the grass.”

Bred and owned by Juddmonte Farms, Flintshire improved his international record to 8-10-1 in 22 starts and sent his earnings up to $8,809,910. His repeat win in the Sword Dancer gives him an automatic berth into this year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita Park. Flintshire has now won four of his five U.S. starts, and just might have found a place he is happy to call home.

By Christine Oser