Race Recaps Firenze Fire Defends Title in True North June 4, 2021 Credit: NYRA / Joe Labozzetta Race Recaps Firenze Fire Defends Title in True North June 4, 2021 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article ELMONT, NY – Mr. Amore Stable homebred Firenze Fire successfully defended his title from last year’s edition with another rousing victory in Friday’s $300,000 True North Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park. Inside Track to the 2021 Belmont Stakes Get the MONSTER 19-page wagering guide to the 2021 Belmont Stakes featuring in-depth analysis of all 9 stakes including the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes! Download Wagering guide Firenze Fire broke from the rail as the even-money favorite and gunned to the lead under Jose Ortiz, who inherited the mount after his brother Irad was injured during a mid-race fall Thursday. With Flagstaff applying direct pressure to his outside from the get-go, Firenze Fire ticked off fractions of :22.71 and :45.39 before rounding the far turn still in command. Put to the test in the stretch, Firenze Fire kicked clear of Flagstaff near near the 1/16 pole before pulling away late to win the 6 1/2-furlong good dirt sprint by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:15.52. “(Irad) said he’s a very nice horse and that he was going to break good,” Jose said. “He told me he thought he was a better horse on the outside, but he got the rail and he jumped good and I didn’t want to take anything away from him. I rode him like he was the best horse and he was the best horse.” Flagstaff was 2 1/4 lengths ahead of American Power in a trifecta that stayed the same at every point of call. Wicked Trick, Phat Man, Looking At Bikinis, and Big Engine completed the order of finish. Firenze Fire’s win was his 13th at the stakes level and improved his overall record to 33-14-4-3. The 6-year-old Florida-bred son of Poseidon’s Warrior has now earned $2,484,350. “He’s been training great,” said Kelly Breen, who took over training duties early last year. “I think he’s more even-keel now. I’m getting to know him even more than last year and maybe he’s getting to know me, also. It’s a pretty good combo right now.” Firenze Fire returned $4.10 to win, $2.60 to place, and $2.30 to show. Flagstaff brought back $3.70 to place and $3.10 to show. American Power paid $3.80 to show.
BLINKERS OFF 596: Pegasus World Cup and Southwest Stakes Picks The Racing Dudes preview the $3 million Pegasus World Cup… Read More
DWBS 127: Southwest Stakes Preview and PICKS Can Arabian Knight fend off all challengers in the Southwest… Read More
The Magic Mike Show 435: What We Learned [Kentucky Derby Updates | Instant Coffee, Arabian Knight, Forte] The Magic Mike Show guys discuss everything they learned from… Read More
BLINKERS OFF 595: Lecomte Stakes Preview and Rapid-Fire Picks The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $200,000… Read More
2023 Pegasus World Cup Picks and Wagering Guide The 7th annual Pegasus World Cup is set for January… Read More
BLINKERS OFF 596: Pegasus World Cup and Southwest Stakes Picks The Racing Dudes preview the $3 million Pegasus World Cup… Read More
The Magic Mike Show 436: Gulfstream Saturday Late Pick 5 Preview (Pegasus World Cup) The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
2023 Pegasus World Cup Preview & FREE Picks | Cyberknife Takes Final Stab At Victory In Career Bow Aaron previews the 2023 Pegasus World Cup (G1) from Gulfstream… Read More
2023 Southwest Stakes Preview & FREE Picks | Arabian Knight Returns In Deep Kentucky Derby Prep Aaron previews the 2023 Southwest Stakes (G3) from Oaklawn Park,… Read More