In possession of plenty of natural speed, FRIESAN FIRE galloped away from the gate and took up the running. He settled into a steady rhythm under a firm hold from jockey Shaun Bridgmohan down the backstretch and around the far turn. Nearing the top of the stretch, some serious challengers emerged from the pack, but he quickly changed their minds. He dispatched them in short order with a quick burst of speed that carried him clear in a matter of a few strides. He kept on strongly to the wire to finish nearly two lengths clear of G1 Blue Grass Stakes winner General Quarters. It was another seven and one-half lengths back to the third place finisher.

"In his comeback race, he just got tired," Bridgmohan said. "Today, with a race under his belt, he was much better. He ran a real powerful race."

A homebred A. P. Indy colt that we campaign in partnership with Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farm, FRIESAN FIRE is out of the G1 winning Dehere mare, Bollinger (AUS). He has won or placed in eight of his eleven starts and he has earned $653,765. He is trained by Steve Asmussen.

Lou Hodges Jr. photo