Works report: Blazing Sevens has final breeze for Preakness

Grade 1 winner Blazing Sevens breezed five furlongs over the Belmont Park main track in his final serious move for Preakness 2023 on May 20 at Pimlico Race Course.

Under mostly cloudy skies and a temperature in the low 70s, Blazing Sevens visited the track following the renovation break around 9:00 a.m. EDT and worked in company to the outside of stakes-winning 4-year-old stablemate Artorius (1:00.18), completing the trip in 1:00.02 over the fast main track.

Blazing Sevens was piloted by Irad Ortiz, Jr. who rode the son of Good Magic to a last out third-place finish in the Blue Grass (G1) on April 8 at Keeneland.

“It went perfect. He was within himself. He's fit and happy,” Ortiz, Jr. said. “I've never worked him before, but he worked like a nice horse. Nice and easy. I don't move on him. The track is maybe a little fast, but he worked one minute nicely.”

Trainer Chad Brown, a two-time Preakness winner, was also happy with the work.

“The horse did super. I was really pleased with the work,” Brown said.

Blazing Sevens made his first two starts at Saratoga, graduating on debut in July before a distant third-place finish in the Hopeful (G1) over a sloppy and sealed main track in September. He secured a top-level win the following month with a 3 1/4-length score in the one-turn mile Champagne (G1) over sloppy and sealed going at Belmont at the Big A and completed his 2-year-old season with a fourth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland.

Blazing Sevens was a distant eighth in his seasonal debut in the Fountain of Youth (G2) in March at Gulfstream before Ortiz, Jr. stepped aboard for the first time in the Blue Grass.

Blazing Sevens had enough points to secure a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate, but was ultimately rerouted in favor of the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. His road to Baltimore is one frequently traveled by Brown, who skipped the run for the roses with his two Preakness winners Cloud Computing (2017) and Early Voting (2022). The last trainer to score two straight Preakness wins was Bob Baffert, who did so with Point Given (2001) and War Emblem (2002).

“It’s always been decided on an individual horse basis. With those two horses it worked. This horse seemed to fit the category a bit,” Brown said. “This horse has raced a lot more at age two than those other two, so he’s been battle tested. When he threw a big clunker in the Fountain of Youth and didn’t do any running, it really set me back fitness wise and I was just trying to play catch up at that point getting into the Derby. I have no regrets sitting the Derby out the way it unfolded. I think this is the right decision for this particular horse at this point in time.”

Coincidentally, Brown’s best Kentucky Derby result was with Blazing Sevens’ sire Good Magic, who finished second in 2018 behind subsequent Triple Crown winner Justify. He also saddled Zandon to a third-place finish in last year’s Kentucky Derby.

“When getting to the Derby, everything has to go right and that was more evident this year with scratches and such,” Brown added. “You can have a perfect winter, but it just takes one or two days to really derail you. There’s no room for error and you have one crack at it. If I go to the Derby, I just want to make sure I have a legitimate chance to win. The last couple times we participated, we had good finishes. This horse just wasn’t quite there.”

In the Blue Grass, Blazing Sevens finished six lengths behind the victorious Tapit Trice (seventh in the Derby), who bested Verifying (16th) by a neck.

“He got beat by two nice horses that day,” Ortiz, Jr. said. “It was the first time I rode him and the only thing I can say is he went a little too wide on both turns. It might have cost me a better position and maybe I would have finished a little closer. I'm not saying we would have beat those horses that day, but the way Chad looks at him – he looks stronger and better going into this race. He told me after the Blue Grass he looks stronger.”

Brown concurred.

“He got a bit of a wide trip. I just wanted him to stay out of trouble. He had to circle horses and he really got tired coming around those horses on the turn,” Brown said. “For all practical purposes, it was his first start of the year. He did no running at Gulfstream, so he had a right to get a bit tired. That’s another reason I didn’t want to go back in four weeks to the Derby. As you can see today, he’s a horse with a full tank of gas and he’s doing as well as he’s ever done. I’m just trying to put the horse in the best position to be successful.”

Blazing Sevens is expected to be part of a nine-horse Preakness field that will include the Derby-winner Mage, fourth-place finisher Disarm, and 10th-place finisher Confidence Game. Brown said he would most likely ship Blazing Sevens to Pimlico on Sunday morning.

Ortiz, Jr. was slated to ride Forte in the Kentucky Derby last Saturday but the morning-line favorite was scratched on the morning of the race and will not contest Saturday's Preakness. The four-time Eclipse Award-winning rider picked up the mount on 29-1 Derby longshot Cyclone Mischief, who never factored when last of 18.

The 30-year-old native of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, who guided Midnight Bourbon to a runner-up effort in the 2021 Preakness, said he is hopeful that Blazing Sevens is peaking at the right time.

"I'm confident with my horse," Ortiz, Jr. said. "He's pointing to get ready for that race and I think I have a little advantage. He's fresh and pointing straight to that race and can give me 100 percent. The other horses have had to recover. Hopefully, he can get the job done Saturday."

Ortiz, Jr. is a two-time Belmont winner, taking the test of the champion with Creator (2016) and last year with Mo Donegal. And although he missed out on a potential first Derby score, Ortiz, Jr. is hopeful he can add a Preakness victory to a glowing resume that includes 17 Breeders’ Cup wins. He has also led the nation in purse earnings in 10 of the last 12 seasons.

"It would mean a lot because it's one leg of the Triple Crown,” Ortiz, Jr. said. “I was able to win the Belmont which was huge for me and I would love to win the Preakness.”

Brown added that he will likely have more than one entry for both the $100,000 Gallorette (G3) for fillies and mares on turf on the Preakness undercard and the $100,000 Hilltop for sophomore fillies on the turf the day before the Preakness.

Blazing Sevens’ workmate Artorius, a Juddmonte homebred son of Arrogate, will likely be “allowance bound to get him ready for Saratoga”, according to Brown. Artorius has not raced since finishing fourth in the October 22 Perryville at Keeneland. He captured last year’s Curlin at the Spa en route to a sixth-place finish in the Travers (G1).

Brown also said Head of Plains Partners’ homebred mare Fluffy Socks, who captured the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) on May 6 at Churchill Downs, is possible for the $500,000 Just a Game (G1) on June 9 as part of the Belmont Stakes racing festival.

Clairiere (Curlin), a three-time Grade 1 winner (2023 Apple Blossom Handicap, 2022 Ogden Phipps, 2021 Cotillion), worked five furlongs in 1:02.2 at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 18th fastest of 24 works at the distance. Her previous work was 13 days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she won the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on April 15 for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Nest (Curlin), a three-time Grade 1 winner (2022 Alabama, 2022 Coaching Club American Oaks, 2022 Ashland), worked three furlongs in 37.4 seconds at Belmont Park on Saturday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 21 works at the distance. Her previous work was 28 days ago going three furlongs at Palm Beach Downs. In her last start she placed fourth in the Breeders' Cup Distaff going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Keeneland on Nov. 5 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Blazing Sevens (Good Magic), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Champagne), worked five furlongs in 1:00.0 at Belmont Park on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 11 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed third in the Blue Grass (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Keeneland on April 8 for trainer Chad Brown.

Classic Causeway (Giant's Causeway), a Grade 1 winner (2022 Belmont Derby Invitational), worked four furlongs in 47.8 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 65 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed sixth in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Oaklawn on April 22 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Doppelganger (Into Mischief), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Carter Handicap), worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Laurel Park on Saturday morning. It was the third fastest of 32 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Laurel Park. In his last start he won the Carter Handicap (G1) going seven furlongs on the main track at Aqueduct on April 8 for trainer Brittany T. Russell.

Rattle N Roll (Connect), a Grade 1 winner (2021 Breeders' Futurity), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 12th fastest of 65 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he won the Ben Ali (G3) going 1 3/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on April 22 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Adare Manor (Uncle Mo), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Santa Maria), worked four furlongs in 47.0 seconds at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the third fastest of 69 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she won the Santa Maria (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on April 29 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Brooklyn Strong (Wicked Strong), a Grade 2 winner (2020 Remsen), worked five furlongs in 1:04.8 at Gulfstream Park on Saturday morning. It was the 24th fastest of 25 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he placed fourth in a starter allowance race going one mile 70 yards on the synthetic at Gulfstream Park on April 9 for trainer Victor Barboza Jr.

Emmanuel (More Than Ready), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Pennine Ridge), worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 28th fastest of 65 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed seventh in the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) going one mile on the turf at Keeneland on April 14 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Hembree (Proud Citizen), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Joe Hernandez), worked four furlongs in 49.6 seconds at San Luis Rey on Saturday morning. It was the 20th fastest of 27 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed seventh in an allowance race going one mile on the main track at Santa Anita on April 9 for trainer Peter Miller.

Interstatedaydream (Classic Empire), a Grade 2 winner (2022 Black-Eyed Susan), worked five furlongs in 59.6 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 24 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In her last start she placed fourth in the Baird Doubledogdare (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on April 21 for trainer Brad Cox.

Kiss Today Goodbye (Cairo Prince), a Grade 2 winner (2020 San Antonio), worked five furlongs in 1:01.8 at Los Alamitos on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of four works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Los Alamitos. In his last start he placed fourth in the Californian (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on April 22 for trainer Eric Kruljac.

Largent (Into Mischief), a Grade 2 winner (2020 Ft. Lauderdale), worked three furlongs in 37.8 seconds at Fair Hill on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 12 works at the distance. His previous work was 199 days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed second in the Bert Allen going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Colonial Downs on Sep. 7 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Law Professor (Constitution), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Santa Anita Mathis Mile), worked four furlongs in 50.8 seconds at Belmont Park on Saturday morning. It was the 47th fastest of 51 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he won the Excelsior going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on April 1 for trainer Rob Atras.

Nolde (Pioneerof the Nile), a Grade 2 winner (2019 Del Mar Derby), worked five furlongs in 59.6 seconds at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 31 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Golden Gate Fields. In his last start he won a starter allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the synthetic at Golden Gate Fields on April 9 for trainer Steve M. Sherman.

None Above the Law (Karakontie), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Del Mar Derby), worked six furlongs in 1:13.0 at San Luis Rey on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of two works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going six furlongs at San Luis Rey. In his last start he placed fourth in the Cary Grant going seven furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on Nov. 19 for trainer Peter Miller.

Sail By (Astern), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Miss Grillo), worked three furlongs in 39.0 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 11 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed second in the Glen Cove going six furlongs on the main track at Belmont At The Big A on Oct. 14 for trainer Leah Gyarmati.

Tax (Arch), a Grade 2 winner (2019 Jim Dandy), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 39 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed second in the Challenger (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Tampa Bay Downs on March 11 for trainer Danny Gargan.

Tiz the Bomb (Hit It a Bomb), a Grade 2 winner (2021 Bourbon), worked four furlongs in 48.2 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 17th fastest of 65 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed fifth in the Elkhorn (G2) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Keeneland on April 22 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Canoodling (Pioneerof the Nile), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2022 Wilshire, 2022 Megahertz), worked four furlongs in 47.0 seconds at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the third fastest of 69 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed fifth in the Wilshire (G3) going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on April 30 for trainer Mike Puype.

Another Mystery (Temple City), a Grade 3 winner (2022 John B. Connally Turf Cup), worked five furlongs in 1:02.6 at Hawthorne on Saturday morning. It was the ninth fastest of 10 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Hawthorne. In his last start he placed third in the Elkhorn (G2) going 1 1/2 miles on the turf at Keeneland on April 22 for trainer Chris M. Block.

Butterbean (Klimt), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Iowa Oaks), worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Keeneland on Saturday morning. It was the 17th fastest of 76 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed third in the Dig A Diamond going one mile on the main track at Oaklawn on April 29 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Call Me Midnight (Midnight Lute), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Lecomte), worked five furlongs in 1:00.8 at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 11th fastest of 24 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he placed fourth in an allowance race going 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Fair Grounds on Nov. 26 for trainer Keith Desormeaux.

Captivating Moon (Malibu Moon), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Fair Grounds), worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Hawthorne on Saturday morning. It was the second fastest of 10 works at the distance. His previous work was nine days ago going five furlongs at Hawthorne. In his last start he placed fifth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Fair Grounds on Jan. 14 for trainer Chris M. Block.

Clapton (Brethren), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Ghostzapper), worked four furlongs in 48.7 seconds at Gulfstream Park on Saturday morning. It was the 14th fastest of 99 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going five furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he won the Ghostzapper (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Gulfstream Park on April 1 for trainer Juan Alvarado.

Faraway Kitten (Kitten's Joy), a Grade 3 winner (2019 American Derby), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Woodbine on Saturday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 77 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Woodbine. In his last start he placed eighth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Woodbine on Oct. 2 for trainer Denyse McClachrie.

First Mission (Street Sense), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Lexington), worked five furlongs in 59.2 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 24 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start he won the Lexington (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on April 15 for trainer Brad Cox.

Hidden Connection (Connect), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Pocahontas), worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 24 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start she placed second in the Baird Doubledogdare (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland on April 21 for trainer Bret Calhoun.

Lightening Larry (Uncaptured), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Chick Lang), worked four furlongs in 48.6 seconds at Monmouth Park on Saturday morning. It was the 18th fastest of 99 works at the distance. His previous work was 14 days ago going four furlongs at Gulfstream Park. In his last start he placed second in the NYRABets Sprint going six furlongs on the main track at Tampa Bay Downs on March 26 for trainer Jorge Delgado.

Nagirroc (Lea), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Futurity), worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Fair Hill on Saturday morning. It was the third fastest of 12 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Fair Hill. In his last start he placed second in the Transylvania (G3) going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Keeneland on April 7 for trainer Graham Motion.

Prevalence (Medaglia d'Oro), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Commonwealth), worked five furlongs in 59.6 seconds at Keeneland on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of nine works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he placed ninth in an allowance race going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Gulfstream Park on March 4 for trainer Brendan Walsh.

Restrainedvengence (Hold Me Back), a Grade 3 winner (2021 American), worked five furlongs in 1:01.0 at Santa Anita on Saturday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 29 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start he placed 10th in the Pat O'Brien (G2) going seven furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on Aug. 27 for trainer Val Brinkerhoff.

Rinaldi (Posse), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Forbidden Apple), worked five furlongs in 1:02.7 at Saratoga on Saturday morning. It was the third fastest of four works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed fourth in the Mohawk going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Belmont At The Big A on Oct. 30 for trainer Handicap James Bond.

That's Right (Goldencents), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Turf Monster), worked four furlongs in 47.6 seconds at Parx Racing on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 33 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Parx Racing. In his last start he placed fifth in the Carle Place going six furlongs on the turf at Belmont At The Big A on Oct. 23 for trainer Michael M. Moore.

We the People (Constitution), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Peter Pan), worked four furlongs in 48.4 seconds at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. It was the 22nd fastest of 65 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he won an allowance race going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Keeneland on April 28 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Willy Boi (Uncaptured), a Grade 3 winner (2022 Smile Sprint Invitational), worked four furlongs in 47.4 seconds at Monmouth Park on Saturday morning. It was the fastest of 99 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Monmouth Park. In his last start he placed sixth in the NYRABets Sprint going six furlongs on the main track at Tampa Bay Downs on March 26 for trainer Jorge Delgado.

Wondrwherecraigis (Munnings), a Grade 3 winner (2021 Bold Ruler Handicap), worked four furlongs in 50.4 seconds at Laurel Park on Saturday morning. It was the 21st fastest of 32 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Laurel Park. In his last start he won an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Laurel Park on April 13 for trainer Brittany T. Russell.