Firenze Fire to stay around one turn in H. Allen Jerkens

Opportunities have been limited in a Triple Crown year, but it’s still worth noting that Firenze Fire on Saturday became the first Kentucky Derby contender other than Justify — more than two months after its running — to win following the first Saturday in May.

The son of Poseidon’s Warrior received a freshening. He returned to Belmont Park, where last year he defeated Good Magic in the Champagne Stakes. And running in the Grade 3, $300,000 Dwyer Stakes cut him back to the preferred one-turn mile.

“We had a great time in the Derby,” said trainer Jason Servis. “I wouldn’t do anything different, but now we’re going to run the horse where we think he’ll be most effective.”

Servis spoke with owner Ron Lombardi, who campaigns Firenze Fire under the Mr. Amore Stable banner, and said Sunday the colt will next target Saratoga’s Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial. Formerly known as the King’s Bishop, the race is set for Aug. 25.

Both the 2015 (Runhappy) and 2016 (Drefong) winners used the King’s Bishop as a springboard to victories in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Firenze Fire could also be a candidate for the Dirt Mile should he stay in Saturday’s form, which produced a 107 Beyer Speed Figure.

“Yeah, if he doesn’t bounce,” Servis said with a laugh.

The trainer credited jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. for recognizing a speed duel forming with the $3 million colt Mendelssohn challenged by Noble Indy on the early lead.

“They all went after Mendelssohn, and Irad rode him so good — just eased him back,” Servis said. “My horse broke on top like he does all the time.”

Firenze Fire wound up circling the field around the far turn and won by nine lengths.

“Everything was spot on,” Servis said. “He got a nice freshening, I got him back to a distance he’s more comfortable with. I think he might even be better at 7/8 (of a mile), but I don’t know how much better he can be than that.”