Firenze Fire possible for Champagne or Futurity

ELMONT, N.Y. – Firenze Fire, winner of the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga, breezed a half-mile in 49.80 seconds Friday morning over the Belmont Park training track. He went in company with Picco Uno, winner of the Union Avenue Stakes.

Jason Servis, trainer of Firenze Fire, said he is considering either the Grade 1 Champagne, going a mile here Oct. 7, or Grade 3 Futurity, going six furlongs Oct. 14, for the son of Poseidon’s Warrior.

“We haven’t made a decision yet,” said Servis, who trains Firenze Fire for the Mr. Amore Stables of Ron Lombardi. “I’ve been talking with Mr. Lombardi; maybe we’ll enter and look at the Champagne but keep our option for the Futurity.”

Firenze Fire finished fourth in the Grade 1 Hopeful, beaten 4 1/4 lengths by Sporting Chance.

“I thought he was a little flat,” Servis said. “He didn’t change leads. The week before the race, he was coughing.”

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◗ Takaful, runner-up in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, and Stallwalkin’ Dude, eighth in the Grade 1 Forego, both put in workouts Friday morning over the Belmont Park training track.

In a stark contrast, Takaful worked a quick four furlongs in 47.63, while Stallwalkin’ Dude went a leisurely half-mile in 52.52. Both are being pointed to the Grade 1, $350,000 Vosburgh on Sept. 30 at Belmont.

Others expected for the race include El Deal, Green Gratto, Mr. Crow, and Weekend Hideaway.

The Vosburgh offers a fees-paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

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