Andiamo a Firenze faces pivotal Jerome on Kentucky Derby trail

After Andiamo a Firenze swept his career debut by a geared-down four lengths against fellow New York-breds last June 3 at Belmont Park, excited owner and breeder Ron Lombardi said he appeared to be “a step above” half-brother Firenze Fire.

Lombardi, and all owners, can be forgiven for being overzealous. Not many horses can be compared to Firenze Fire, who was retired as a winner of 14 of 38 career starts. The hard knocker earned more than $2.7 million for Lombardi’s Mr. Amore Stable.

Firenze Fire’s many impressive victories included the Champagne Stakes (G1) as a 2-year-old, a race in which Andiamo a Firenze went on to be fourth. Andiamo a Firenze’s two victories through his first five starts came against state-breds. In addition, he took third in the July 16 Sanford Stakes (G3) at Saratoga and missed by a nose in the Oct. 17 Breeders’ Futurity at Finger Lakes while banking $233,966.

Lombardi’s remarks are more tempered ahead of Saturday’s $150,000 Jerome Stakes, a one-turn mile at Aqueduct. Firenze Fire won the Jerome in 2018.

“When we looked at him early on, early in his career as a 2-year-old, we thought he was going to be better than Firenze Fire,” Lombardi said of Andiamo a Firenze. “That’s a tall order and big shoes to fill. He hasn’t lived up to that yet, but we’ll see if he can get on track.”

Andiamo a Firenze will break from post 5 in an eight-horse field. Kendrick Carmouche will be aboard for trainer Kelly Breen. Breen took over the training duties for Firenze Fire from disgraced Jason Servis. Although Firenze Fire is by Poseidon’s Warrior and Andiamo a Firenze is by Speightstown, they share the same dam in the late My Every Wish.

Firenze Fire took the New York path to an 11th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, an experience Lombardi still cherishes.

“A lot of people said I shouldn’t run Firenze Fire in the Derby. He’s more of a sprinter,” the owner recalled. “But after doing it and having the opportunity, anybody who gets the opportunity, I’d highly recommend them going down that trail. You never know. That experience, the excitement, was truly amazing.”

The Jerome offers Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 10-4-3-2-1 basis. Andiamo a Firenze – which translates to "Let’s go to Florence" – has two points from his fourth-place effort in the Champagne.

The youngster has breezed five times at Belmont Park in preparation for his 3-year-old debut. He traveled five furlongs in 1:01.49 on Dec. 28 in his most recent drill, ranking eighth of 22.

“It’s going to be a tough race, it’s going to be a good race and hopefully we move forward,” said Lombardi of the April 27 foal. “If he does well in the race, we’d definitely be pointing him toward the Derby.”

Lombardi is president and chief executive officer of SportsCare Institute, a New Jersey-based company that owns and manages an extensive network of physical therapy centers. His racing ambitions have grown since he entered the game in 2007.

“When I got into it, I thought if I could have three to five racehorses, that would be amazing,” he said.

He now has about 30 runners under the Mr. Amore banner as well as 20 broodmares, more than 10 weanlings and more than 10 yearlings.

“A lot is going on. That’s way more than I anticipated,” he said. “I truly love it. It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been a great learning experience as well.”

Lombardi will always be indebted to Firenze Fire, whose success allowed for much of the growth of his stable. He was seriously considering standing the horse in New York when he received an offer from Japan that was too good to refuse.

Now, he finds himself hoping lightning can strike twice.