A Thread of Blue could try longer in Jockey Club Derby

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A Thread of Blue, upset winner of Sunday’s $1 million Saratoga Derby at 1 3/16 miles, could try and stretch out to 1 1/2 miles in the $1 million Jockey Club Derby at Belmont on Sept. 7.

A Thread of Blue got loose on the lead in the Saratoga Derby and was able to hold off Digital Age by a length. He covered 1 3/16 miles under Luis Saez in 1:52.02 and earned a career-best 95 Beyer.

McLaughlin said Monday that A Thread of Blue came out of the Saratoga Derby in good order and that he would consider the Jockey Club Derby as well as the Grade 2, $400,000 Hill Prince going 1 1/8 miles on Oct. 5 at Belmont.

McLaughlin said he did not have a definitive plan for Lucullan, who won Saturday’s Lure Stakes by a nose over Sacred Life. McLaughlin feels the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch on Sept. 2 could be too close, but will take a wait-and-see attitude before deciding what’s next.