Firenze Fire edges Servis stablemate in Aqueduct’s Gravesend
With an eighth of a mile to go in Sunday’s $100,000 Gravesend Stakes, it became apparent trainer Jason Servis would win the six-furlong Aqueduct feature. But with which horse?
On the inside, Happy Farm was holding on having set a quick pace two weeks after a victory in the local Fall Highweight (G1). But Firenze Fire, a fellow Florida-bred, closed with every stride.
Late in the going Happy Farm took an odd step, squelching his momentum and giving in to the odds-on favorite Firenze Fire, who made the Gravesend a cap to another successful season sprinting across all levels of the class ladder.
"To come back and win today showed a lot," said Henry Argueta, assistant to Servis. "He's a good horse and I'm sure he'll get a nice break following this."
Firenze Fire was off slower than his stablemate but quickly rushed up to press Happy Farm through an opening quarter mile in 23.16 seconds. As the half went in 45.86, Firenze Fire appeared to be dropping out of it, stuck then in the middle of two other pursuers.
But Happy Farm began to tire as the classy Firenze Fire kicked back in the gear, with his signature grinding running style prevailing in a photo finish. Off at 1-5, he returned $2.70 to win.
Argueta guessed Happy Farm "jumped the shadow near the finish," adding that "he gave a big effort and it's exciting for him going forward."
Meanwhile, Jose Lezcano, who rode Firenze Fire to a head win, said, "The track is playing for speed, and [Happy Farm] was fast enough to keep going. My horse is very classy. He followed the leader the whole way.
"When I asked him, he went on and did the job. I didn't ask him for too much. I just asked him for enough to win the race."
Behind Happy Farm, T Loves A Fight ran third in the field of six.
The 4-year-old Firenze Fire improved to 9-3-2 in 23 career starts, his earnings nearing $2 million. Going back to his juvenile season, he was a Grade 1 winner of Belmont's Champagne Stakes and ran in the Kentucky Derby at 3 before finding a more comfortable groove around one turn.