Sadler's Joy on target for Joe Hirsch Turf Classic

Woodslane Farm's Sadler's Joy worked up a happy appetite following his last-to-first stretch-drive rally to win the Grade 1 Sword Dancer on Saturday, trainer Tom Albertrani said Sunday morning.

"He was bright walking around the barn this morning, so that's a good sign. He ate everything we gave him last night," Albertrani said.

Sadler's Joy broke slow and was seventh entering the stretch before angling out six-wide and finishing with a strong kick to win by a half-length and secure a spot in the Grade 1, $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf on November 4 at Del Mar.

"I got to watch it a couple of times yesterday and every time you watch it, it's more exciting," Albertrani said. "You look at the ground that he closes, it was [thrilling]."

Idaho, the 7-5 favorite for trainer Aidan O'Brien, battled Frank Conversation for the lead and gained the advantage one mile in with Sadler's Joy, ridden by Julien Leparoux, at the back of the pack.

"I didn't know where he [Idaho] might place, just from reading, it sounded like he would go if there was no pace, but we didn't expect to be that far back either. But Julien seemed like he was confident there was enough pace out front that he didn't have to worry about pushing him into the race early. He gave him a spectacular and well-timed ride."

Before his Breeders' Cup appearance, Albertrani said Sadler's Joy is on target for the Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on September 30 at Belmont Park.

"We'll go to Belmont and hopefully if all stays well, we'll be in Del Mar," Albertrani said. "He always tries and always runs hard. It's all about getting the right trip in these kinds of races. Even yesterday, he had to swing pretty wide out and I didn't think once I saw that move, that he'd make up that kind of ground. But he saved a lot of ground the first two turns and it just worked out. He never caught a good trip his last couple of races and he's been close."

The win was also the first of the Saratoga meet for Albertrani, who earned a trip to the winner's circle for the first time in 16 starts this summer.