Annals of Time bests Sadler's Joy in Sword Dancer

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Thirty-three months after becoming a Grade 1 winner for the first time, Annals of Time did it again, this time on the big stage at Saratoga where he rallied to a neck decision over a game Sadler’s Joy in the $850,000 Sword Dancer. Annals of Time gave his trainer, Chad Brown, his fourth win of the day and second in a graded stakes.

Annals of Time needed only four starts to win his first Grade 1 race, the Hollywood Derby at Del Mar, as a 3-year-old in December 2016. He would be idle more than nine months until starting again, making a one-race comeback before going to the sidelines for a second time after winning an allowance race at Belmont Park on September 16, 2017.

Annals of Time would not making another start until late this spring, finishing second in a high-priced allowance and optional claiming event. He prepped for the 1 1/2-mile Sword Dancer by stretching out to 1 3/16 miles for the first time to defeat similarly conditioned competition here earlier this summer.

With regular rider Javier Castellano aboard Saturday, Annals of Time was kept well in reserve while rating kindly and saving ground off the early pace set by stablemate Ya Primo. Annals of Time swung well wide while full of run entering the stretch the final time, finished strongly down the center of the course in tandem with Sadler’s Joy, and was beginning to edge away at the wire.

Sadler’s Joy was reserved a bit wide near midpack, also angled out to commence his bid into the stretch, and overtook the leaders in tandem with the winner at midstretch before coming out second-best in the end.

:: Get PPs, Clocker Reports, picks, and more from DRF's Saratoga/Del Mar One-Stop Shop

Channel Cat, winner of the Grade 2 Bowling Green here four weeks ago, rallied to a short lead near the eighth pole before gradually weakened to finish another two lengths farther back in third. He was followed by Channel Maker, Noble Thought, Pillar Mountain, Proven Reserves, Tiz Morning, and a tiring Ya Primo.

A son of Temple City, Annals of Time is owned by Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence. He completed the 12 furlongs over a firm course in 2:27.50 and paid $7.10 as the tepid favorite in a field of nine older, long-distance turf specialists.

“When he tipped out, I thought he had a good chance because he’s got such a really strong closing kick,” said Brown. “It got a little tight there at the finish. I’m glad he got up in time.”

Brown said getting Annals of Time to come back off a second layoff and win another Grade 1 race was a team effort.

“Nick de Meric picked him out as a baby and every time he’s gone to the sidelines, he’s the one who rehabbed him. He sent him back to us as a 6-year-old,” said Brown. “We’ve finally had an uninterrupted training schedule and campaign with him. He’s back to his old form when he won the Hollywood Derby as a 3-year-old. He’s probably better now. We’ve got a lot of time invested, the owners and everyone associated with this horse. For him to show up today, on the biggest stages, at Saratoga on Travers day, and take a Grade 1, I’m really proud of the horse. He deserves it.”

With the victory, Annals of Time earned a fees-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita.