NEWS
Telling powers to repeat Sword Dancer victory
Posted: Saturday, August 14, 2010 6:08 PM
TELLING
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
For video of the Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes, click here.
by Mike Curry
Telling surged through an opening along the rail and took charge in deep stretch on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course to secure a repeat victory in the $500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes (G1).
Benefiting from a well-timed ride under jockey Garrett Gomez, the six-year-old A.P. Indy horse shook free late to win by 1 1/2 lengths, completing 1 1/2 miles in 2:25.29 on firm turf. Telling earned his second career graded stakes victory after winning last year’s Sword Dancer by two lengths from Better Talk Now, and trainer Steve Hobby said this race was the target all year.
"It’s tremendous to win again—it’s something we had aimed at from the last time, and to make it work a year later is really amazing,” Hobby said. “[Garrett Gomez] had him in a perfect place all the way. The pace was a little slower, but he was in a good spot. He sure chose the right way—that’s the one thing I told him, that he probably prefers the outside than being in, but it’s not something I’d make a drastic change to do.
Marlang opened a clear early lead in the Sword Dancer and set an honest pace through a half-mile in :48.27 and six furlongs in 1:13.23. Grade 1 winner Interpatation stalked from second with 1.95-to-1 favorite Expansion well positioned in third then fourth. Gomez saved ground aboard Telling through the first two turns and last year’s winner really responded when given his cue.
“He broke well and I really felt like I was in great spot. When they quickened up the backside, I was having a little trouble telling how fast they were actually going and deciding whether or not to go after the leaders at that point,” Gomez said. “But my horse was bobbling a bit, so I decided to switch him to the outside a little and wait.
“When we turned for home, the horse in front of us dropped off. I just dove toward the fence, and it was like he found new life. He’s just one of those horses that stays on really well going a mile and a half.”
Al Khali opened a clear lead at the quarter-pole and had every chance to win but could not match strides late with Telling or runner-up Bearpath, who closed from seventh in the nine-horse field. Bearpath was 1 1/4 lengths clear of Al Khali. Expansion faded to fifth and 2007 and ’08 Sword Dancer winner Grand Couturier (GB) finished a non-threatening sixth.
Out of Grade 1 winner Well Chosen, by Deputy Minister, Telling improved to six wins, four seconds, and four thirds from 23 career starts.
“It’s a real pleasure for me to win a race for Steve Hobby because the first recognized race I ever rode was for his dad,” said Gomez, who was aboard Telling for the first time. “That horse didn’t win, but I told Steve today that we better win this one for his dad.”
Alex and JoAnn Lieblong’s Telling has placed in five other stakes, including three graded races, but the Sword Dancer is the only graded race he has won. His two Sword Dancer victories also account for $600,000 of his $831,049 in career earnings, a hefty bankroll for his only two starts at Saratoga.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
