[2] Bred in Kentucky by Samuel D. Riddle, he was owned by Allen T. Simmons[3] of Akron, Ohio, a rubber mogul[4] and radio station operator.
[5] He was rated a close rival of Occupation, owned by Chicago, Illinois contractor John Marsch, in horse racing competition in the Western United States.
[3] Blue Swords secured a purse of $10,800 by winning the Eastern Shore Handicap at Havre de Grace, Maryland, on September 12, 1942.
[7] On the final day of the Belmont Park fall meeting, October 10, 1942, Count Fleet established a track record by running 1:34 4/5 in the Champagne Stakes.
[8] In early odds for the 1943 Kentucky Derby, Blue Swords was given an 8 to 1 shot by James J. Carroll, St. Louis, Missouri sports betting commissioner.
[12] In the Wood Memorial Stakes on April 17, 1943, Count Fleet won handily after Blue Swords led temporarily prior to the half mile mark.