Blazing Sevens splashes to convincing Champagne win

Oct 01, 2022 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

A non-threatening third over a wet track in the Sept. 5
Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga, Blazing Sevens
relished the sloppy conditions in Saturday’s $500,000 Champagne (G1) at
Aqueduct, rallying to win going away by a 3 1/4-length margin. The Chad
Brown-trained colt picked up 10 points winning the Road to the Kentucky Derby series
qualifier, and the dark bay two-year-old was ridden by Flavien Prat.

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland on Nov. 5 is
next for Blazing Sevens, a son of freshman sire Good Magic.

Brown also trained Good Magic, who was named champion two-year-old male after winning the 2017 Breeders' Cup Juvenile but finished second in the Champagne.

“It’s such a reward because (Good Magic) was unlucky in
the Champagne himself,” Brown said. “I thought he was very unlucky,
actually. It was some good karma for us today that his son was able to get his
head in front in the Champagne and win like he did. He’s been a wonderful horse
to get along with. He’s all class.'

Off as the co-longest shot among six rivals at 8.50-1, Blazing
Sevens rated in last early and completed a one-turn mile in 1:37.07. Verifying,
the 2.25-1 second choice, rallied to a short lead in midstretch but proved no
match for the oncoming winner, holding second by 1 1/2 lengths over 1.55-1
favorite Gulfport.

Andiamo a Firenze, Champions Dream, and Top Recruited
completed the order of finish.

The Champagne awarded 20 points to the top five finishers (20-4-3-2-1)
toward a berth in the 2023 Kentucky Derby.

Owned by Rodeo Creek Racing, Blazing Sevens was purchased
for $225,000 as a yearling. He’s the first stakes winner from the Warrior’s
Reward mare Trophy Girl, a half-sister to Grade 1 turf winner King David.

Blazing Sevens, a 6 1/4-length debut winner at Saratoga, was
bred in Kentucky by Tracy Farmer.