Straight Fire has no lack of talent

DEL MAR, Calif. – Straight Fire has been so sharp in recent training that trainer Keith Desormeaux is unsure what to expect when the 2-year-old has his debut in a maiden race at five furlongs at Del Mar on Sunday.

“He’s done everything so easily, you wonder how fit he is,” Desormeaux said. “My horses usually need a race, so we’ll hope for the best. The good thing is he’s shown a lot of talent.”

Straight Fire, by Dominus, was purchased for $250,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July yearling sale last year and has worked steadily at San Luis Rey Downs. The colt is one of four first-time starters in a field of nine.

Of the runners with experience, Chasing Aces and Law Abidin Citizen are promising, having finished second and third in a maiden race at Santa Anita on June 25.

Lucky Bode, a first-time starter bought for $110,000 at the Barretts March sale of 2-year-olds in training, may prefer a longer distance, trainer Art Sherman said.

“He’ll be a route horse,” Sherman said. “I need to get him a start.”