Fire At Will Doubles Down in Pilgrim

ELMONT, NY – Three Diamonds Farm’s Fire At Will doubled down with his second straight score in Saturday’s $150,000 Pilgrim Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park.

Fire At Will went to the lead after breaking from post 6 under Kendrick Carmouche and held a length advantage over Step Dancer and Zippy Baby through opening fractions of :25.58, :50.35, and 1:15.09.

Opening up at the top of the stretch, Fire At Will drew off impressively to win the 1 1/16-mile firm inner turf route in 1:43.46.

The 4/5 favorite Public Sector was 2 lengths back in second, while Step Dancer edged Shawdyshawdyshawdy for third by a neck.

Zippy Baby and American Monarch completed the order of finish.

It’s a Gamble and Nathan Detroit were scratched from the race restricted to 2-year-olds.

Fire At Will’s win was his second straight and followed an impressive maiden-breaking score in the off-turf With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga. The Declaration Of War colt, purchased for $97,000 as a yearling, improved his record to 3-2-0-0 with $137,932 earned.

Fire At Will returned $29 to win, $8.40 to place, and $4.20 to show. Public Sector brought back $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show, while Step Dancer paid $3.90 to show.