Friesan Fire returns in Fair Grounds feature

Last updated: 11/30/09 7:16 PM

Friesan Fire returns to the scene of his greatest triumph
(Lou Hodges Jr./Fair Grounds)

Louisiana Derby (G2) romper FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy), who has been sidelined
by injury for the past six months, will make his comeback in Thursday’s
8TH
and featured race at Fair Grounds. The Vinery Stables and Fox Hill Farms colt
will face five older rivals in the one mile and 40-yard affair, his debut for
new trainer Steve Asmussen.

Friesan Fire began his career for the now-retired Larry Jones. After a
promising juvenile campaign, in which he finished third in the Futurity S. (G2)
and fourth in the Nashua S. (G3), the well-bred bay developed into a leading
classic prospect over the winter at Fair Grounds. He became only the third horse
in local history to sweep the New Orleans oval’s big three races for sophomores
— the Lecomte S. (G3), the Risen Star S. (G3) and Louisiana Derby.

Largely on the strength of his 7 1/4-length rout in the Louisiana Derby,
Friesan Fire was dispatched as the 7-2 favorite in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Unfortunately, he was bumped, squeezed, and grabbed a quarter early on and wound
up an uncharacteristic 18th. Friesan Fire proceeded to the May 16 Preakness S.
(G1) in hopes of a better effort, but he bobbled at the start, flashed brief
speed and quickly faded to finish 10th.

Friesan Fire was subsequently diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left
front leg, as well as a secondary non-displaced chip fracture in his right front
fetlock. Following surgery to repair the chip, and a period of convalescence,
the three-year-old returned to the worktab at Vinery’s Kentucky training center
in early September. Since joining Asmussen at Fair Grounds in mid-October,
Friesan Fire has been turning in ever sharper works, culminating in a
six-furlong drill in 1:12 3/5 last Monday.

Asmussen is making two changes for Friesan Fire’s reappearance. The blinkers
are coming off the colt, and Shaun Bridgmohan is getting on.

Friesan Fire has drawn the rail in his first start versus older horses. His
opponents are all stakes veterans themselves, led by GOOD AND LUCKY (Wild Rush)
and GLAMOUR GUY (E Dubai), who both sport impressive records at Fair Grounds.

The Josie Carroll-trained Good and Lucky captured the Louisiana H. and
finished second in the Mineshaft H. (G3) here earlier in the year. Glamour Guy,
fourth to Good and Lucky in the Formal Gold S. at Monmouth two back, comes off a
solid runner-up effort in the Ack Ack H. (G3) at Churchill Downs.