Firenze Fire pointing to H. Allen Jerkens Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – The connections of Dwyer Stakes winner Firenze Fire appear ready to resist the temptation to try two turns again and will likely run him in the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens going seven furlongs at Saratoga on Aug. 25, trainer Jason Servis said.

Firenze Fire, 11th in the Kentucky Derby, rolled to a nine-length victory in the Dwyer, running a mile in 1:33.74 and earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 107.

Servis said he spoke with owner Ron Lombardi on Sunday morning, and both seemed on board with the Jerkens.

“We did the Derby thing, it was fun. Now that we’re all over that, we’re going to run the horse where we think he’s at his best,” Servis said.

Firenze Fire is 5 for 7 in races run around one turn, including wins in the Grade 1 Champagne last fall at Belmont and the Grade 2 Sanford at Saratoga last summer.

Servis said Sunny Ridge, who won Friday’s $100,000 State Dinner Stakes, will be considered for the Grade 1, $1.2 million Whitney Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 4.