Friesan Fire resurfaces at Fair Grounds

Friesan Fire will make his first start since the Preakness Stakes, and first for trainer Steve Asmussen, in a high-level optional claiming race on Thursday at Fair Grounds.

Friesan Fire was one of six horses entered in a mile-and-40-yard allowance race also open to $100,000 claimers. The race also includes Fair Grounds-loving Good and Lucky, a stakes winner over the main track. But Friesan Fire figures to be an odds-on favorite under Shaun Bridgmohan.

Friesan Fire ran the table last winter at Fair Grounds, winning the Lecomte Stakes, the Risen Star, and the Louisiana Derby. Those wins made him the tepid favorite in the Kentucky Derby, but Friesan Fire failed to fire, finishing 18th of 19. He was little better two weeks later in the Preakness, finishing 10th of 13.

With trainer Larry Jones set to retire, co-owners Vinery Stable and Fox Hill Farm sent Friesan Fire to Asmussen earlier this fall. At Fair Grounds, he has posted six published workouts, most recently drilling six furlongs in 1:12.60 last Monday.