Race Recaps A Thread Of Blue Goes All The Way In Saratoga Derby August 4, 2019 Race Recaps A Thread Of Blue Goes All The Way In Saratoga Derby August 4, 2019 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Leonard Green’s A Thread of Blue shot to the lead early and refused to give it up en route to wiring the field in Sunday’s inaugural running of the $1,000,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Dismissed by the betting public as he broke from post 3 under Luis Saez at 13/1 odds, A Thread of Blue took control as he passed the grandstand for the first time, then headed into the far turn unchallenged. Striding comfortably on the front end, A Thread of Blue posted opening fractions of :23.62, :48.54, and 1:12.32. Heading into the far turn, A Thread of Blue remained peerless on the front end while the field jockeyed for position behind him. Digital Age loomed the biggest threat off of the turn, but A Thread of Blue’s easy ride early meant that he had more than enough left for the end. As he crossed the wire, Saez stood up in the saddle to celebrate A Thread of Blue winning by a confident length in a final time of 1:52.02 for the 1 3/16-mile event over the firm outer turf course. “In a big race, you never know, but we were lucky that it was pretty easy up front,” Saez said. “When we came into the stretch, I knew I had plenty of horse. I saw them coming, but he responded pretty well. It was easy for him today.” Although he chased the winner home in vain, Digital Age was 1 1/4 lengths clear of Cape of Good Hope in second. Social Paranoia had sat in third throughout but couldn’t hold off Cape of Good Hope late, falling short by a neck. The Belmont Derby (G1) winner Henley’s Joy was unable to take the second leg of the Turf Trinity series and had to settle for fifth by a nose over the 5/2 favorite Rockemperor. Behind them came Kadar, Mohawk, Flying Scotsman, Seismic Wave, and Eons to complete the order of finish. A Thread of Blue’s win was third of the year, having won three straight at Gulfstream Park between December and March that included the Dania Beach Stakes and the Palm Beach Stakes (G3). The 3-year-old son of Hard Spun next finished second in the American Turf Stakes (G2) and fourth in the Penn Mile Stakes (G2) before taking a brief freshening. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, A Thread of Blue now sports a record of 10-5-2-1 with $879,290 earned. “(An) uncontested lead is big, and he’s a very talented horse,” McLaughlin said. “He likes it firm, obviously, winning three in Florida. He doesn’t like to ship that well, but he ran great at Churchill. Penn just didn’t go well. We gave him a little more time going into this, but he’s been training unbelievable and it just worked out great.” A Thread of Blue returned $28.40 to win, $12.20 to place, and $9.90 to show. Digital Age brought back $6 to place and $4.10 to show, while Cape of Good Hope paid $12.80 to show.
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More