Kentucky Derby: Blazing Sevens decision will take time

The status of Blue Grass third-place finisher Blazing Sevens will be monitored quite closely by those on the outside of the Kentucky Derby picture looking in, but don’t expect a decision on that colt’s status for a few weeks.

Trainer Chad Brown said Wednesday that Blazing Sevens remains under consideration for the Derby, but he wants to see the horse work at least once before making a final determination. Blazing Sevens, last year’s Grade 1 Champagne winner, has accrued 46 points, placing him 17th on the list of 20. His third-place finish behind Tapit Trice and Verifying in the Blue Grass was a much improved effort from his eight-place finish in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth in March.

“He got back on track, ran very well, was moving well on the turn, albeit wide, following the winner, who was also wide,” Brown said. “I like the way he was moving with the blinkers. He did empty a little bit at the eighth pole which has me trying to determine if he doesn’t want to go that far, which is a possibility.

“But really that was his first start of the year, he did no running [in Fountain of Youth] and that has me a little bit in the middle of what to make with him and the distance,” Brown added. “He really needed the race, but I’m not sure he’s a mile-and-a-quarter horse. I need to get my head around that and see how he trains out of it.”

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Blazing Sevens has two wins, both around one turn. Brown said Blazing Sevens would likely work back on the weekend of April 22-23 at Keeneland.

Blazing Sevens is a son of Good Magic, who in 2018 won the Blue Grass and finished second to Justify in the Kentucky Derby.

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