Firing Line Drills for Sunland Derby
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Arnold Zetcher's Firing Line had his final local workout March 15 at Santa Anita Park in preparation for the $800,000 Sunland Derby (gr. III).
The Line of David colt, a two-time second-place finisher to Dortmund (both by a head), covered five furlongs in :59 4/5 in his fourth timed workout since the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 7.
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"(It was) great," trainer Simon Callaghan said of the workout. "The work went perfectly."
Callaghan also said the 3-year-old, who will likely be favored in the March 22 classic prep race at Sunland Park, will leave Southern California for New Mexico March 20.
While Dortmund is likely staying put for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) April 4, Firing Line but could encounter another Bob Baffert trainee in the Sunland Derby in Lord Nelson.
The Peachtree Stable-owned colt by Pulpit beat Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner Texas Red in the San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 1, but was a far-back fourth behind Dortmund in the San Felipe (gr. II) March 7.