Money Multiplier preps for possible Sword Dancer run

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Money Multiplier, second in Grade 1 stakes in his last two starts, will take a significant drop in class Friday when he runs in a second-level allowance race at Saratoga.

In May, Money Multiplier finished second to stablemate Wake Forest in the Grade 1 Man o’ War at Belmont. On July 3, he finished second to World Approval in the Grade 1 United Nations at Monmouth Park.

Trainer Chad Brown opted not to run Money Multiplier against stablemate Flintshire in the Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green Handicap but said a good performance Friday could earn Money Multiplier a shot against that horse in the Grade 1, $1 million Sword Dancer on Aug. 27.

“I didn’t want to run him in the Bowling Green against Flintshire,” said Brown, noting the difference between the Bowling Green and Sword Dancer purses. “The extra time will do him good. If he clears this condition and is in good form, then I’ll throw him in the mix, given the big purse of the Sword Dancer.”

Money Multiplier last year finished second in the Grade 3 Saranac here and second in the Grade 3 Kent at Delaware Park.

Friday’s race, at 1 3/8 miles, also drew Roman Approval, the runner-up in the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap on July 9.