He's On FIRE!!

Photo courtesy of www.bloodhorse.com

This is my newest hero, Friesan Fire, by A.P Indy out of Bollinger x Dehere, who just bounded home in the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course in Louisiana on Saturday. This victory comes on the heels of a win in the LeComte Stakes in December. Another Larry Jones trainee, and co-owned by Fox Hill Farms/Vinery Stables, Friesan Fire, ridden masterfully by Gabriel Saez, put away the favorite, Giant Oak, in fine fashion and is second on my list for the Kentucky Derby, right after Old Fashioned, who I posted about last week. Friesan Fire will be pointed toward the Louisiana Derby next.

On the filly side, is this gray beauty -

Photo courtesy www.bloodhorse.com

Stardom Bound bounded to a decisive victory in the Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday. Under the supurb guidance of Mike Smith, with essentially a hand ride and a couple of shoulder taps with the whip, Stardom Bound (Tapit, out of My White Corvette x Tarr Road) rated, saving ground, and sprang into action in the stretch, gobbling up opponents like Thanksgiving dinner. This pretty, powerful filly is the winner of the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies and is the 2008 Juvenile Filly of the Year. The Las Virgenes was Stardom Bound's fourth Grade-1 stakes win in a row, following on the heels of her amazing Breeder's Cup performance. According to her owners, IEAH Stables (owners of last year's KY Derby/Preakness winner Big Brown), Stardom Bound will be pointed toward the Santa Anita Derby in April, to run against the boys.

This is such an exciting year to be following 3-year-olds! Along with the aforementioned, there is a host of other talented horses, including Pioneer of the Nile, who just pulled off an impressive win in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (Gr. 2) at Santa Anita; Midshipman and Vineyard Haven, who will be tearing up tracks in Dubai soon; The Pamplemousse, who cruised to victory in the San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita in January; Square Eddie, Brother Keith, Haynesfield, Hello Broadway, Capt. Candyman Can, Beethoven, Big Drama - I could go on and on. But my eyes are squarely on Old Fashioned and Friesan Fire, and Stardom Bound if she goes to the Derby - if not, then the Kentucky Oaks for her. Next weekend is the Southwest Stakes - GO OLD FASHIONED!!