Firenze Fire remains on course for Juvenile despite temperature
DEL MAR, Calif. – Firenze Fire is expected to run in Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, despite having developed an elevated temperature Wednesday morning that had his connections somewhat concerned about him making the race.
Trainer Jason Servis said Firenze Fire had a temperature of 101.6 degrees on Wednesday, which was higher than his normal 100.5, one day after shipping in from New York. By Thursday morning, the temperature was down to 101.3.
Blood was taken from Firenze Fire on Wednesday and tests came back clean, Servis said.
“He’s eating good and all the blood work’s good,” Servis said.
Servis felt confident enough to train Firenze Fire on Thursday and the colt galloped a mile over Del Mar’s main track.
“Everything looks really good,” Servis said. “We’re doing everything we can. It looks like we’re all right.”
Firenze Fire is a legitimate contender to expected heavy favorite Bolt d’Oro in the Juvenile based on his 4-for-5 record, which includes a victory in the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont on Oct. 7. His lone defeat came in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga. He had a cough that week.
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Firenze Fire trained under Garrett Servis, Jason’s 27-year-old son, who flew in from south Florida where he works as a real estate agent, but who has also galloped horses.
“He felt great,” Garrett Servis said. “I followed another horse who had a Breeders’ Cup saddle towel on and I ended up passing him. He galloped good, he felt great, and I’m excited to be part of the team.”
Firenze Fire was expected to gallop Friday morning.