Luckless second for Moore and Japan as Gufo rules in Sword Dancer

Japan was denied his first top-level success since winning the Juddmonte International two years ago when just failing to peg back favourite Gufo in the Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained five-year-old has not hit the same heights as he did when beating Crystal Ocean in the York Group 1 in August 2019, though he had returned to winning ways in the Meld Stakes at Leopardstown last month in a prep for this US venture.

On his first start outside Europe, Japan was held up in behind the leaders by Ryan Moore and was unable to get a clear run in the home straight. Switched to the outside, he came home strongly but was still a neck down on the Joel Rosario-ridden market leader at the line.

Sword Dancer Stakes full result

"He ran very well today, I was pleased with it," said Moore.

It was a second Grade 1 win for the Christophe Clement-trained Gufo following the Belmont Derby last year.

The trainer said: "The race set up perfect. There was plenty of pace. The stable has been lucky that way this year. This is fun and it's the kind of race we like to win.

"He seems to be running better and is more mature with blinkers on."

Essential all quality in pulsating Travers

Essential Quality strengthened his claims to be North America's best three-year-old as he held off the challenge of Midnight Bourbon for a brave success in the Travers Stakes, the feature race of Saratoga's summer meet.

The Godolphin-owned son of Tapit suffered his only defeat when fourth in the Kentucky Derby before bouncing back to his best to win the Belmont Stakes and the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at the Spa in late July.

Essential Quality (seen winning the Belmont Stakes) landed the Travers Stakes at Saratoga

Sent off odds-on favourite, Essential Quality dug deep to repel the persistent challenge of Midnight Bourbon to set up a potential tilt at the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar on November 6.

Trainer Brad Cox said: "He's very special. He really is. It's hard to explain what it feels like because words can't describe it. This horse is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He's a great horse and you're not going to get horses like him every year. A horse like him is few and far between.

"Maybe we haven't seen the best from him. He's just a three-year-old and he keeps getting better. He's that good, he's that intelligent, and he's a tremendous horse."

Gamine gets the job done

Saturday's star-studded card featured four other Grade 1s, with Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint heroine Gamine landing a fifth top-level success in the Ballerina Handicap, while Letruska continued her fine season with victory in the Personal Ensign Stakes.

Record-breaking trainer Steve Asmussen captured the two other Grade 1s as Jackie's Warrior won the H Allen Jerkens Memorial, while Yaupon battled to a dramatic triumph in the Forego Stakes despite being savagely bitten by runner-up Firenze Fire in the home straight.

Breeders' Cup Classic (Nov 6)

William Hill: 4 Knicks Go, 5 Essential Quality, 7 Happy Saver, 8 Life Is Good, 10 Max Player, Mishriff, 12 bar

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The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday