Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap
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The Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap is an American race for thoroughbred horses, aged three and up, run each summer at Saratoga Race Course. An important prep for the Breeders' Cup Turf, it is set at a distance of one and one-half miles on the turf. A Grade I event, the race offers a purse of $500,000.
The Sword Dancer is named for the best three-year-old colt or gelding of 1959, best three-year-old, best handicap horse, and "Horse of the Year". Sword Dancer was elected to the United States Racing Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York in 1977.
In its 34th running in 2008, the Sword Dancer has been run as an Invitational Handicap since 1994.
The great John Henry won this race in 1981.
[edit] Past winners
- 2007 - Grand Couturier (GB) (4) (Calvin Borel)
- 2006 - Go Deputy (6) (Eibar Coa)
- 2005 - King's Drama (IRE) (5) (Jorge F. Chavez)
- 2004 - Better Talk Now (5) (Ramon A. Dominguez)
- 2003 - Whitmore's Conn (5) (Jean-Luc Samyn)
- 2002 - With Anticipation (7) (Pat Day)
- 2001 - With Anticipation (6) (Pat Day)
- 2000 - John's Call (9) (Jean-Luc Samyn)
- 1999 - Honor Glide (5) (Jose A. Santos)
- 1998 - Cetewayo (4) (John R. Velazquez)
- 1997 - Awad (7) (Pat Day)
- 1996 - Broadway Flyer (5) (Mike E. Smith)
- 1995 - Kiri's Clown (6) (Mike Luzzi)
- 1994 - Alex The Great (5) (Patrick Valenzuela)
- 1993 - Spectacular Tide (4) (Julie Krone)
- 1992 - Fraise (4) (Jerry D. Bailey)
- 1991 - Dr. Root (4) (Jean-Luc Samyn)
- 1990 - El Senor (6) (Angel Cordero, Jr.)
- 1989 - El Senor (5) (Herb McCauley)
- 1988 - Anka Germania (6) (Craig Perret)
- 1987 - Theatrical (5) (Randy Romero)
- 1986 - Southern Sultan (5) (Robbie Davis)
- 1985 - Tri For Size (4) (Robert Thibeau, Jr.)
- 1984 - Majesty's Prince (5) (Eddie Maple)
- 1983 - Majesty's Prince (4) (Eddie Maple)
- 1982 - Lemhi Gold (4) (Chris McCarron)
- 1981 - John Henry (6) (Bill Shoemaker)
- 1980 - Tiller (6) (Ruben Hernandez)
- 1979 - Darby Creek Road (4) (Angel Cordero, Jr.)
- 1978 - True Colors (4) (Michael Venezia)
- 1977 - Effervescing(4) (Angel Cordero, Jr.)
- 1976 - Arabian Law (Jacinto Vasquez)
- 1975 - Gallant Bob (Gerard Gallitano)
- In 1987, Theatrical was placed first through the disqualification of Dance of Life.
