Friesan Fire progresses toward 2010
By Don Agriss, Horse Racing Editor Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - While three-year-olds Summer Bird, Mine That Bird and Rachel Alexandra are dominating the racing headlines this year, another three-year-old colt is being carefully prepared for a return in 2010.
Louisiana Derby winner Friesan Fire is down in Florida at Vinery Stables, one of his co-owners, training for a return to the races with an eye toward a 2010 campaign. Co-owner Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farms, reports that the son of 1992 Belmont winner A.P. Indy is on course to once again compete on the track.
"Friesan Fire is doing extremely well training at the Vinery in Ocala," Porter noted on his farm's website. "He will go to a trainer soon. We plan on running him once this year and the main goal, if he is doing well, is the Donn." The Donn Handicap is the major stakes race for older horses at the annual meet at Gulfstream Park. One would imagine that Friesan Fire could also be nominated for the New Orleans Handicap at the Fair Grounds where he swept the three stakes races on the road to the Kentucky Derby.
Formerly trained by Larry Jones, Friesan Fire has not started since finishing 10th in the Preakness Stakes that was won by Rachel Alexandra.
That race followed the Kentucky Derby where he was the 7-2 favorite, but finished next to last in the 19 horse field.
The colt underwent surgery in the spring and was initially expected to resume training in approximately two months after the procedure. He started jogging down in Florida in early August.
In nine career starts Friesan Fire has four wins for $603,265. If your familiar with this column I loved him for the Kentucky Derby and stayed with him for the Preakness.
He gained the role of Kentucky Derby favorite due to his dominating victories in New Orleans in the Lecomte and Risen Star Stakes and the Louisiana Derby. The sloppy Churchill Downs track the first Saturday in May may have been a factor in Friesan Fire's poor performance.
"When Friesan Fire grabbed a quarter in the Kentucky Derby, we felt like he had an excuse for that race," said Vinery General Manager Tom Ludt. "Going into the Preakness, he seemed like his old self and was training beautifully. When he turned in an uncharacteristic race that day, we became concerned." In early September Friesan Fire returned to the training track at Vinery Stables. On September 2 he breezed an easy three-furlongs in 38 2/5-seconds.
His former trainer Larry Jones is winding down his operation, centered at Delaware Park, with the goal of retiring from training after the Breeders' Cup in November.
10/05 12:28:11 ET
