Good and Lucky spoils Friesan Fire’s return

Friesan Fire finished third in his return off a near seven-month break (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com)

Josie Carroll et al’s GOOD AND LUCKY (Wild Rush) spoiled the anticipated
return of Louisiana Derby (G2) hero FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy) at Fair Grounds on
Thursday, drawing clear to a convincing three-length score in a one-mile and
40-yard
allowance/optional claiming event. Winner of the Louisiana H. and second in
the Mineshaft H. (G3) earlier this year at the Crescent City oval, the six-year-old
gelding stalked the pace until upper stretch and comfortably drew clear as the
late-running Glamour Guy (E Dubai) finished a non-threatening second. Friesan
Fire, the 2-5 favorite in his first start back since the Preakness S. (G1),
lacked a serious challenge from off the pace and wound up another three lengths
back in third.

With Shane Sellers, who was scoring his third win of the afternoon, in the
saddle, Good and Lucky stopped the teletimer in 1:40 1/5 over the fast track.

The Florida-bred has also won stakes at Monmouth Park and Delta Downs, as
well as being Grade 3-placed in Canada, but he’s known as a Fair Grounds’
specialist, improving his local mark to 9-5-2-0. His overall record now reads
28-10-4-3, $483,915.

“This horse runs like he looks on paper,” said Sellers of Good and Lucky. “He
likes this racetrack.”

Friesan Fire was favored in the Kentucky Derby (G1) off victories in the
Louisiana Derby, Risen Star S. (G3) and Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds, but the
bay colt struggled home to an 18th-place finish following a rough beginning. He
fared no better at Pimlico two weeks later, checking in 10th, and was sidelined
by an injury shortly thereafter. The Kentucky-bred returned to the races
Thursday under the direction of new trainer Steve Asmussen.