Nations Pride, El Cordobes all set for G1 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer
At 0h02, on August 9, 2025 • By Saratoga Race Course
Trainer Charlie Appleby holds a strong hand in multiple top-flight winner Nations Pride and recent Group 2-winner El Cordobes for Saturday’s 12-furlong Grade 1, $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer, at Saratoga Race Course.
The Sword Dancer is a “Win and You’re In” for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf in November at Del Mar. Godolphin and Appleby have captured three of the last four runnings of the Breeders’ Cup Turf with Rebel’s Romance [2022, 2024] and Yibir [2021].
Nations Pride and El Cordobes arrived at Saratoga on July 31 and have settled in well according to Appleby’s traveling assistant Chris Connett, clearing quarantine Saturday and shifting over to Godolphin’s Greentree facility adjacent to the Spa backstretch. On Wednesday, the pair put a little air into their lungs with a stronger effort over the Spa main track.
Six-time British Champion jockey-turned-top Godolphin morning stable rider Kieren Fallon traveled over and has accompanied Nations Pride through his daily morning routine while Jamie Linwood is the regular work partner of the up-and-coming El Cordobes.
On Saturday, William Buick will have the call on Nations Pride [post 5, 3-1ML], while Flavien Prat will pilot El Cordobes [post 1, 4-1ML] as they look to topple defending race winner Far Bridge [post 6, Joel Rosario, 9-5ML], who traveled gate-to-wire last year to best Godolphin’s Appleby-trained duo of Measured Time and Silver Knott.
