El Cordobés Pulls Off the Upset at Saratoga, with a Frankel 1-2 in the Sword Dancer Stakes
- Turf Diario
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Charlie Appleby and Godolphin’s charge cemented his spot in the Breeders’ Cup Turf; Ignacio Correas Jr.-trained Utah Beach ran a strong fourth
SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- Charlie Appleby’s trophy cabinet in the U.S. gained a new gem Saturday at Saratoga when El Cordobés captured the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes (G1, 1 1/2 miles, turf, $750,000). It marked the British trainer’s first victory in this storied event and punched his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) at Del Mar on November 1 — a race Appleby has already won three times, with Yibir (Dubawi) in 2021 and Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi) in 2022 and 2024.
El Cordobés, a 4-year-old gelding by Frankel bred in Ireland by Bjorn Nielsen, entered off a victory in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes (G2) at Newmarket and did not disappoint in his top-level debut stateside. Under the precise handling of Flavien Prat, he stayed close to the action throughout, conserving energy for a lethal late kick.
From the start, Vote No (Divisidero) set lively fractions (:23.59 and :47.40) with Far Bridge (English Channel) pressing, while stablemate Nations Pride (Teofilo) and El Cordobés bided their time. The field compressed in the stretch as Rebel Red, a surprise outsider ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., emerged wide to challenge. But Prat found a decisive seam inside the final 200 meters, and El Cordobés unleashed a stunning rally to score by a half-length in 2:25.40 for the 12 furlongs.
Nations Pride finished third by three-quarters of a length in his first try beyond 2200 meters since 2022, while Utah Beach, trained by Argentine Ignacio Correas Jr., showed well from the back in his Saratoga debut, finishing fourth. The English Channel colt ran a commendable race against elite company, confirming his upward trajectory.
“We knew he was going to finish strongly, and Flavien gave him the perfect setup, finding the right space at the right moment,” said Appleby’s U.S. assistant Chris Connett.
Prat valued patience early on: “I wanted a good break to avoid being too far back, then it was just a matter of waiting for the moment to launch him. He responded like a champion.”
Rebel Red completed an all-Frankel exacta — a notable statistic. El Cordobés added $412,500 to his bankroll, elevating his campaign and establishing himself as a top contender for the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
The Saratoga card also brought an emotional announcement: starting in 2026, the Sword Dancer will be renamed the Christophe Clement Turf, honoring the legendary French trainer who won it five times — more than anyone in history.
Between El Cordobés’ authoritative score, Rebel Red’s impressive effort, and Utah Beach’s valuable fourth, the 2025 Sword Dancer reaffirmed its status as one of North America’s premier turf classics.
