The $500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational (G1) is the highlight of the Saratoga turf-racing calendar. With 31,692 on hand, eight older horses went to the gate in this 1 1/2 mile trip around three turns of the Inner Turf Course. 7-10 favorite Relaxed Gesture had not won since last October, and was in tough against Todd Pletcher trainee Go Deputy at 6-1, who was cross-entered in the Arlington Million but remained at Saratoga instead. 7-1 third choice Wild Desert was making his first start on the lawn after finishing second to Invasor in the Suburban last out.
When the race got underway, Relaxed Gesture and Ramazutti set a slow pace of 24.68 and 49.27 over the firm going, until the favorite was eased back by jockey Kent Desormeaux allowing Ramazutti to continue to lead into the final stretch after 10 furlongs in 2:03.53. However, Go Deputy, who raced near the rear early, closed well through the stretch to run by the pace to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Silver Whistle in a time of 2:26.78. Grand Couturier was third while favorite Relaxed Gesture finished fifth.
