Better Talk Now out of Sword Dancer

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Better Talk Now was declared out of Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational at Saratoga due to an injury to his left front ankle, trainer Graham Motion said Friday.

His defection figures to leave English Channel a heavy favorite in the 1 1/2-mile turf race.

Motion said that Better Talk Now suffered a puncture wound to his left front ankle during the running of the United Nations Handicap at Monmouth Park, in which he finished third, three lengths behind English Channel.

Motion said he thought he had the issue under control until Friday morning when fluid began sweeping from the ankle. Motion said he had to put the gelding on antibiotics.

"It looks quite angry this morning, he's very tender on it," Motion said. "The timing is terrible."

Motion said that Better Talk Now would walk for two weeks and if the injury heals properly the horse could be pointed to the Man o' War on Sept. 8.