Friesan Fire |
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Prep Recap
| Date | Trk | Race | Chart | Distance | Time | BSF | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10/09 | FG | Lecomte (G3) | Chart | 1 m | 1:37.67 | 94 |  |
| 2/7/09 | FG | Risen Star (G3) | Chart | 1 1/16m | 1:45.11 | 97 | |
| 3/14/09 | FG | Louisiana Derby(G2) | Chart | 1 1/16m | 1:43:46 | 104 | |
| 5/2/09 | CD | Kenucky Derby(G1) | Chart | 1 1/4 m | 2:02 | 43 | |
Profile by Randy Goulding
Strengths: He has tactical speed, and that should work in his favor in a race where the pace figures to be average. Sharp work at Pimlico is a good sign that he has recovered from his rough trip in the Kentucky Derby, where he grabbed a quarter. Strong connections in his corner as well. Over the past five years, trainer Larry Jones is 121-33-19-15 in graded stakes races. That tells us he doesn't just show up to be part of the event, and that there is a good chance Friesan Fire will rebound in a big way.
Weaknesses: He certainly had his excuses in the Derby, and it's possible that getting bumped around early caused him to be unsettled. He looked very uncomfortable sitting behind horses early and then didn't have anything left when he finally moved to the outside at about the seven-furlong mark. He could be vulnerable if he gets trapped behind horses again. The smaller field should help, but he might not be as sharp coming back in just two weeks.
Strategy: A clean start is critical, and I would expect jockey Gabriel Saez to put him outside of horses in a stalking position early. Timing will be everything, and Saez will have to wait as long as possible before he sets him down.
Value: Beaten favorites are one of my favorite plays, and it's safe to say he will be a bigger price than he was in the Derby. If he can run back to his sharp form in Louisiana, he has a chance of redeeming himself here. Worth a look at 8-1 or better.
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Owners: Vinery Stables & Fox Hill Farm |
Pedigree Analysis by Dan Illman
Dosage Profile: 5-12-17-0-0
Dosage Index: 3.00
Center of Distribution: 0.65
Auction: $725,000 RNA yearling
Sire: Arguably the best sire in North America, A.P. Indy won the Belmont Stakes with a 111 Beyer Speed Figure and the Breeders' Cup Classic with a 114 during his racing career. He has sired numerous stakes winners at classic distances including Coaching Club American Oaks winners Music Note and Jilbab, Alabama winners Runup the Colors and Sweet Symphony, Horse of the Year Mineshaft, Preakness and Travers winner Bernardini, Belmont Stakes heroine Rags to Riches, Jockey Club Gold Cup and Hollywood Gold Cup winner Aptitude, and Personal Ensign winner Tomisue's Delight.
A.P. Indy is by Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew out of a dam by Triple Crown winner Secretariat. He is a half-brother to Preakness winner Summer Squall.
Dam: Bollinger won the Group 1 Coolmore Classic at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf in her native Australia. Her half-brother, Mannington, won the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude at 5 1/2 furlongs.
Friesan Fire's second dam, Bint Marscay, won the Group 1 Toomey Golden Slipper Stakes at six furlongs.
Other notable horses from the female family include Kenny's Best Pal, the winner of the Cadbury Australian Guineas at one mile, and Filante, the winner of the Caulfield Stakes at 10 furlongs.
Outlook: There is obviously plenty of stamina on top with A.P. Indy, but the female side offers mostly speed influences. Friesan Fire's Derby run was his first start past 1 1/16 miles, but a minor injury suffered during the race may have compromised his chances. The pedigree presents a dilemma to handicappers, but the stamina of A.P. Indy coupled with the class of the female family should help pull him through.