The SWORD DANCER is named for the late Mrs. Isabel Dodge Sloane's Brookmeade Stable colorbearer, who, in 1959, was named best three-year-old colt or gelding, best three-year-old, best handicap horse, and "Horse of the Year". Trained by Elliott Burch, Sword Dancer was elected to Thoroughbred Racing's Hall of Fame at the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga in 1977.
Run on the main track at six furlongs for three-year-olds prior to 1977, at Aqueduct in 1975 and 1976, and at Belmont Park from 1977 to 1991. Distance of a mile and a sixteenth from 1977 to 1979. The distance was changed to a mile and half in 1980. In 1987, Theatrical was placed first through the disqualification of Dance of Life.
The SWORD DANCER has been run as an Invitational Handicap since 1994.