Firenze Fire Breezes Ahead of Vanderbilt
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta
Firenze Fire after winning the True North Stakes at Belmont Park
Mr. Amore Stable's Firenze Fire put in his final work before the $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1), breezing four furlongs in :49.49 on Saratoga Race Course's Oklahoma training track July 18.
The work was the first for Firenze Fire since he was ridden to victory by Irad Ortiz Jr. in the June 27 True North Stakes (G2) going 6 1/2 furlongs at Belmont Park. Before that effort, the 5-year-old son of Poseidon's Warrior returned from a near four-month layoff to finish fourth in the June 6 Runhappy Carter Handicap (G1). He kicked off his year by capping a three-race winning streak in the Feb. 15 General George Stakes (G3) at Laurel Park.
With four wins in his past five starts dating to November, Firenze Fire has continued to train forwardly heading into the six-furlong Vanderbilt, trainer Kelly Breen said.
"He's doing as well as he was going into his last race, so if he moves forward again, he should be ready to move forward one more time," said Breen, who took over the training duties for Firenze Fire before the Carter.
In 26 starts, Firenze Fire has an 11-3-2 record and earnings of $1,939,250.