Feel That Fire Smokes in Blue Sparkler

Red Oak Stable’s Feel That Fire grabbed the early lead and held off the late charge of D’wild Ride to capture the $75,000 Blue Sparkler Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday before a crowd of 10,716.

Ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr., Feel That Fire covered the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:09 1/5 and paid $6.40, $4 and $3 as the favorite in the field of seven fillies and mares.  D’wild Ride, who finished three quarters of a length back in second, completed the $26.60 exacta and returned $4.20 and $3.  It was another 3 ¾ lengths back to Bronx City Girl, who paid $2.60 to show.

“That was a super performance,” said winning trainer Gregg Sacco.  “Her last was a good race that set her up perfectly for this.  She’s a lightly raced filly and we’ve targeted the races this summer.  The Regret (July 31) on Haskell Day will be her next start.”

The Blue Sparkler victory was the third win in seven starts for Feel That Fire, a 4-year-old by Lightnin N Thunder from the French Deputy mare Ubetwereven.  She has earned $146,080 for her connections.