Longer might be better for Saratoga Derby hopeful A Thread of Blue

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin hopes A Thread of Blue’s speed might serve him better going longer, which is why he entered him in Sunday’s $1 million Saratoga Derby at 1 3/16 miles.

A Thread of Blue has yet to run farther than 1 1/16 miles, something he accomplished successfully in the Grade 3 Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream in March. Since then he was beaten three-quarters of a length in the Grade 2 American Turf at 1 1/16 miles and finished fourth in the Grade 2 Penn Mile when either on or near the early lead.

“I think a firm turf course is important,” McLaughlin said. “He’ll be able to shake loose, or if he doesn’t shake loose be in second with some space. Going a mile I feel like you’re hustling, hustling, hustling all the time.”

A Thread of Blue was one of 11 3-year-olds entered in the Saratoga Derby, the second leg of the Turf Trinity inaugurated this year by the New York Racing Association. The series began with the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Derby and concludes with the $1 million Jockey Club Derby at Belmont on Sept. 7.

:: Get PPs, Clocker Reports, picks, and more from DRF's Saratoga/Del Mar One-Stop Shop

The Saratoga Derby includes the top five finishers from the Belmont Derby, topped by upset winner Henley’s Joy, who beat Social Paranoia by three-quarters of a length. The Chad Brown-trained duo of Rockemperor and Digital Age finished third and fourth, breaking from post positions 14 and 13, respectively.

Seismic Wave, fifth, beaten 3 3/4 lengths as the favorite in the Belmont Derby, is also in this field.

Cape of Good Hope finished eighth in the Belmont Derby for Aidan O’Brien, who has sent him and Mohawk here for this race. Mohawk is coming off a Group 3 victory in Ireland.

Eons, winner of four straight, including the Grade 3 Kent Stakes at Delaware Park, Flying Scotsman, and Kadar complete the field.

The Saratoga Derby will go as race 9 on an 11-race card that includes the Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack Stakes for juvenile fillies, the Grade 3 Waya for fillies and mares on turf, and the rescheduled John Morrissey Stakes for New York-bred sprinters.