Saratoga: Swift Warrior back in winner’s circle

Swift Warrior, winless since taking the Rushaway Stakes in March 2011, returned to the winner’s circle Wednesday, taking the $100,000 Win Stakes by two lengths.

Swift Warrior, a son of First Samurai, hadn’t run since finishing sixth in the Grade 2 Mervin Muniz Handicap at Fair Grounds on April 1. That was his third race in two months after missing 11 months due to a condylar fracture training toward the Blue Grass in 2011.

“He’s been one of the barn favorites for a little while now,” trainer John Terranova said.

Terranova credited assistant trainer Reynaldo Abreu “for taking great care of him and bringing him back.”

“He was injured training for the Blue Grass after the Rushaway,” Terranova said. “It took a while to get him back.”

Terranova said that following the Mervin Muniz, Swift Warrior “got a little jammed up and was given time off.”

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“Really, he just kept improving every week up here,” Terranova said. “I’m glad there was a spot for him.”

Swift Warrior, owned by James Dolan and James Covello, ran a mile in 1:33.82 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 94.

Terranova did not know where Swift Warrior would run next, but said he would look for races between a mile and 1 1/8 miles.