Breen: Firenze Fire just being himself in stretch of Forego

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Kelly Breen said there are no visits from a psychiatrist or any other changes in his plans for Firenze Fire in the wake of what transpired here Saturday in the Grade 1 Forego Stakes, when his horse reached over and savaged the pacesetting Yaupon in the closing stages of the race.

Firenze Fire, with Jose Ortiz aboard, finished second, beaten a head by the favored Yaupon, in a renewal of the Forego that racing fans will remember for years to come.

“We’re not going to do anything different with him, we’re just going to let him stick to his regular routine, be a horse and let him get over it,” Breen said Monday. “He came out of the race looking good. He’s not any nastier than he usually is, nor is he acting like he’s been scolded in any way. He’s always been the kind of horse who will try to bite you or kick a little when you saddle him. He definitely has an attitude. But he’s not really mean, and as long as I’ve had him, he’s never tried to savage a person or another horse before the incident on Saturday.”

Breen said he’s watched the replay of the stretch run of the Forego numerous times.

“Jose had the whip in his right hand and it took him a while to get to his right rein to finally get him off the other horse,” Breen said. “It was a very interesting race, to say the least, and very frustrating to get so close to a Grade 1, which would have been another highlight for my career. I’m guessing even if he had come back to beat Yaupon, he would have been disqualified for what he did. I know everybody has a story about near-misses in big races, although I’d have to say I think this one was pretty legit. It’s a shame that it happened, but I can’t say enough about how proud I am of the way he ran.”

Breen said he will talk things over with owner Ron Lombardi, but in all likelihood the Grade 2 Vosburgh on Oct. 9 at Belmont Park will be next up for Firenze Fire as a final prep for a third try in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Firenze Fire finished third behind Whitmore a year ago and fifth in the 2019 Sprint.