Yibir to miss start in Sword Dancer

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Yibir, the Breeder’s Cup Turf winner, suffered “a slight setback” that will force him to miss a planned start in the Grade 1, $750,000 Sword Dancer Stakes here Aug. 27, Godolphin announced on Twitter over the weekend.

Yibir was coming off a victory in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes on July 7 at Newmarket. He had the Sword Dancer and perhaps another start in the United States on his agenda leading up to the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland in November.

Godolphin’s tweet did not indicate how much time Yibir would miss.

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Meanwhile, intended Sword Dancer starters Gufo and Channel Maker put in works over the weekend.

Gufo, in blinkers, worked on the Oklahoma turf course with City Man on Sunday. Gufo went four furlongs in 47.93 seconds, making up about five lengths on City Man, whose exercise rider had to take a hold of his horse to allow Gufo to catch up. Gufo was ridden in his work by Joel Rosario.

Clement also may run Soldier Rising in the Sword Dancer. Soldier Rising, a recent third-level allowance winner here, worked a half-mile in 48.89 on Sunday morning over the Oklahoma turf course.

On Saturday, Channel Maker worked a half-mile in 50.28 in company with Elite Power over the Oklahoma dirt track.