Flintshire destined for Joe Hirsch Classic at Belmont

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Flintshire, the other part of Juddmonte Farms’ dynamite double with Travers winner Arrogate, came out of his victory in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Sword Dancer Stakes in good order and will be pointed to the Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park on Oct. 1, trainer Chad Brown said Sunday.

Flintshire improved his 2016 record to 3 for 3, adding the Sword Dancer to a resume that includes victories in the Grade 1 Manhattan and Grade 2 Bowling Green. Flintshire had help from his pace-making stablemate, Inordinate, but made another eye-catching rail-skimming move to win by 1 3/4 lengths.

“He’s got a big move that horse, he’s very special,” Brown said. “Everybody has a lot of respect for him. I’m extremely happy to have that horse in our barn.”

Flintshire, who won the Sword Dancer for the second consecutive year, ran 1 1/2 miles in 2:23.45 and earned a 112 Beyer Speed Figure.