Firenze Fire to Target Cigar Mile
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Firenze Fire trains at Keeneland ahead of the Breeders' Cup Sprint
Mr Amore Stable's multiple graded stakes winner Firenze Fire will make his next start in the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) Dec. 5 at Aqueduct Racetrack, trainer Kelly Breen said. The 5-year-old Poseidon's Warrior bay rallied from 11th to finish third last out in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) Nov. 7 at Keeneland.
"He's back at Belmont, and that's what we're pointing for," Breen said.
Breen said jockey Jose Lezcano, aboard for the Breeders' Cup and Firenze Fire's Vosburgh Stakes (G2) win Sept. 26 at Belmont Park, will retain the mount for the Cigar Mile.
Top contenders confirmed for the Cigar Mile include Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner King Guillermo and 2019 Discovery Stakes (G3) winner Performer. Other horses under consideration for the Cigar Mile include New York-bred millionaire Mr. Buff and last-out Bold Ruler Handicap (G3) winner Majestic Dunhill.
Breen took over training duties for Firenze Fire this year and has saddled the horse to a record of two wins from six starts, including a victory in the True North Stakes (G2) June 27 at Belmont. Two of Firenze Fire's losses for Breen came in grade 1 events on sloppy tracks: the Runhappy Carter Handicap (G1) at Belmont and the Forego Stakes Presented by America's Best Racing (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
On the Cigar Mile undercard, Breen will send out John Bowers Jr.'s New Jersey homebred Pickin' Time in the Remsen Stakes (G2) for 2-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles. The Stay Thirsty colt last out won the Nashua Stakes (G3) at a one-turn mile on the Big A main track.
Majestic Dunhill wins the Bold Ruler Handicap at Belmont Park
Trainer George Weaver said R. A. Hill Stable's Majestic Dunhill will make his next start in either the six-furlong Fall Highweight Handicap (G3) or the Cigar Mile.
The 5-year-old Majesticperfection gelding was game to the wire to win the seven-furlong Bold Ruler by a head over Share the Ride on a muddy Belmont main track Oct. 31. Weaver said he will take a close look at how both the Fall Highweight and Cigar Mile fields shape up before deciding.
"We'll see how both races come up. I'm sure the Cigar Mile will have some heavyweights in there," Weaver said. "Majestic Dunhill is a gelding, so we're not looking to establish stud value with him. We're trying to make as much money as possible and spot him as best we can. The way the two fields stack up will factor heavily in our decision. He's a fun horse to have."
Weaver said he may also have a contender for the Cigar Mile undercard with Brereton Jones' homebred Dollar Mountain in the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) for juvenile fillies going nine furlongs on the main track.
The dark bay daughter of Upstart graduated by 5 1/2 lengths at second asking Oct. 16 in an off-the-turf 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight contested on a sloppy and sealed Belmont strip.