Fire Key turns tables on Goldwood in Floral Park

ELMONT, N.Y. - There’s something about Belmont Park and six furlongs that brings out the best in Fire Key.

Fire Key improved her record to 5 for 10 at Belmont and 7 for 12 at six furlongs by taking Saturday’s $100,00 Floral Park Stakes by a neck over Goldwood, ending that mare’s five-race win streak. It was a head back to Fear No Evil, who nosed out Dynatail for third.

Fire Key improved her career record to 9-10-2 from 33 starts and increased her lifetime earnings to $735,910. It was her fifth stakes victory, second straight in the Floral Park, and third overall at Belmont.

Jim Ryerson, Fire Key’s trainer since April, believes the bigger course at Belmont is an advantage for Fire Key.

“A little wider turn, she’s a big filly,” Ryerson said. “She’s able to get better position through the turn. Every aspect seems like it’s better. The three-quarters really seems to help her.”

Breaking from the rail under Julian Pimentel, Fire Key saved all the ground while racing inside of Mominou as both chased Goldwood, who ran an opening quarter in 22.50 seconds under Jose Ferrer to secure the early lead.

Approaching the top of the lane, Pimentel was able to guide Fire Key outside and into the clear. She confronted Goldwood turning for home, the two ran together until the sixteenth pole when Fire Key persevered past. The result enabled Fire Key to reverse the order of finish from last month’s Sensible Lady Turf Dash at Laurel going 5 1/2 furlongs when Goldwood beat her by a half-length.

Fire Key raced far back behind a hot pace that day.

Saturday, Fire Key “just got in a stalking position where she seems to be more comfortable,” said Pimentel, who has three wins and two seconds from five rides on Fire Key.

Fire Key, a 6-year-old daughter of Friesan Fire owned by Ed McEneaney’s Backwards Stable, covered the six furlongs in 1:08.29 and returned $6.20 as the favorite.

Ryerson said he would likely run Fire Key back in the $125,000 Autumn Days at Aqueduct on Dec. 1. Fire Key won the Autumn Days in 2017.