Gufo closed with a determined rush in the stretch and won the $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer (G1) for the second consecutive time Saturday at Saratoga
With his half-length victory over 18-1 longshot Mira Mission, the 5-year-old Declaration of War gelding earned an automatic starting berth in the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) November 5 at Keeneland via the Breeders' Cup Challenge “Win and You're In” series.
Ridden by Joel Rosario, Gufo was seventh as tiring pacesetter Tribhuvan clocked 1 1/4 miles in 2:03.88 then ceded the lead to Mira Mission, who opened a three-length lead at the three-sixteenths pole. Gufo unleashed a furious closing rally to wear down the front-runner and get the win for the second straight year. Soldier Rising was another half-length back in third. Favorite Broome was fourth.
Gufo, who returned $10.80, covered 1 ½ miles on firm turf in 2:28.02.
Bred in Kentucky by John Little and owner Stephen Canelli, Gufo notched his ninth win from 19 career starts and improved his career earnings to $1,983,030. His dam is the Petionville mare Floy.
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