Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted August 9 Journalists Posted August 9 EL CORDOBES (IRE) (g, 4, Frankel {GB}–Bold Lass {Ire}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}), the lesser-preferred and less-accomplished part of an uncoupled entry for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby, took his cue from Flavien Prat in upper stretch, split rivals inside the final furlong and dove across the line first to take out Saturday's GI Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes. With the victory, El Cordobes earns an automatic berth into the field for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar later this fall. Exiting a victory in the G2 Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket on July 10, El Cordobes was a 4-1 shot in this first try at top-level competition and was able to secure an ideal early spot from the box seat in third, as Vote No (Divisidero) made the running in advance of El Cordobes's stablemate Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Continuing to save ground down the back, El Cordobes always traveled strongly, but was taken a hold of by Prat on the turn and was shuffled back to near-enough last just as the real running was about to begin. In the meantime, William Buick had gone for Nations Pride with a good three furlongs to travel, and it looked to have worked, as the 6-year-old pinched a good break heading for home. Taking a gap between Rebel Red (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and a weakening Far Bridge (English Channel) in upper stretch, El Cordobes went through another between Nations Pride and Rebel Red with the race in the balance and was home narrowly best. Far Bridge was trapped out three deep in the early portion of the Sword Dancer, and mindful that he likes to ply his trade as close to the inside as possible, Joel Rosario allowed the favorite to roll forward, but was content to lay second behind Vote No. He more or less sat a pocket trip for the remainder of the race, but failed to quicken in the final furlong and a half and finished down the field. El Cordobes is the 38th worldwide Grade I/Group 1 winner for his sire and his fifth on American shores. Frankel's late son Measured Time (GB) was beaten into second by Far Bridge 12 months ago. Sales history: 2,000,000gns ($2,379,118) Ylg '22 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 10-4-2-2. O-Godolphin; B-Bjorn Nielsen; T-Charlie Appleby. EL CORDOBES earns his first Grade 1 victory, making it back-to-back graded stakes with a win in the @RWCatskills Sword Dancer under Flavien Prat for trainer Charlie Appleby and @godolphin! pic.twitter.com/UfvqzpvtHD — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 9, 2025 The post El Cordobes Leads Home Frankel 1-2 In the ‘Win and You’re In’ Sword Dancer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article Quote
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