Gufo points to Joe Hirsch Turf Classic as next start

While it was a dramatic finish in Saturday’s Grade 1 Sword Dancer, there was less drama than usual for Christophe Clement, trainer of the winner Gufo.

Gufo rallied from between horses and held off a late charge from European invader Japan to win the $750,000 Sword Dancer by a neck. The fact Gufo kept a straight path - unlike some of his other races when he’d drift in or out - was what Clement liked most.

Clement said he instructed jockey Joel Rosario not to hit Gufo on his hind quarters.

“If you watch the replay, he hit him on the shoulder, but he never hit him in behind,” Clement said. “Those were the only instructions I gave to Joel, ‘do whatever you want, but no drama’ and he ran very straight. Joel is a perfect rider [for Gufo] being so strong in the finish, he fits the bill.”

The victory earned Gufo a fees-paid berth into the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf to be run Nov 6 at Del Mar. First, though, Gufo will run in the Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park on Oct.9.

Gufo, a 4-year-old son of Declaration of War, is now 2 for 2 since Clement added blinkers to his equipment. On July 5 - after losses in the Grade 1 Man o’ War and Grade 1 Manhattan - Gufo won the Grand Couturier, a listed race at 1 1/2 miles.

“I think he was unlucky in the Man o’ War first time out,” Clement said. “I thought he was probably a little bit farther back than we were expecting in the Manhattan. I love the fact we gave him an easy race with the blinkers and it was a good confidence builder.”

Gufo, owned by Otter Bend Stables, now has a record of 7-2-3 from 12 starts and has earned $1,138,510. He earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 104.

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