Annals of Time possible for Sword Dancer off impressive win

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Annals of Time could be headed to the Grade 1, $800,000 Sword Dancer Invitational following his eye-catching 4 1/2-length victory in a third-level allowance race Wednesday at Saratoga.

Annals of Time won the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby as a 3-year-old in 2016, and has raced only three times since, owing to a soft tissue injury. Wednesday, he was running 1 3/16 miles for the first time. He covered the distance in 1:54.71 and earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure.

“He acted like he’d handle the extra distance just fine,” trainer Chad Brown said. “It was nice to see it. Hopefully, we can keep him on a regular schedule now. I think he’s one of the more talented turf colts in the country, I really do.”

Browns said last fall he was pointing Annals of Time to the Breeders’ Cup Mile, but now he thinks that distance might be too short for him.

Shancelot gets post 12

Shancelot, who won his first two starts against a combined 10 rivals, will meet 11 opponents when he makes his stakes debut in Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes for 3-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Shancelot, trained by Jorge Navarro, shipped to Saratoga last weekend and worked six furlongs in 1:11.40. He will be ridden by Emisael Jaramillo.

Among Shancelot’s rivals will be Nitrous, second in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens, and Wendell Fong, winner of the Gold Fever Stakes who finished fifth in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens.

Also entered in the Amsterdam were Strike Silver, Super Comet, Classy John, Garter and Tie, Bourbon Calling, Honest Mischief, Achilles Warrior, The Big S, and Lemniscate.