Firenze Fire targets Grade 1 sprint off first win for Breen

Mr. Amore Stable's Firenze Fire won his second graded stakes in three attempts as a 5-year-old, stalking the pace before finishing strong in a 1½-length win over Stan the Man in Saturday's Grade 2 True North at 6½ furlongs on Belmont's main track.

The son of Poseidon's Warrior notched his sixth career graded stakes victory, registering a 97 Beyer for his win against a six-horse field. He also won for the first time since being transferred to the care of trainer Kelly Breen following a win in the General George (G3) in February at Laurel that started his 2020.

Off a near four-month layoff, Firenze Fire tired in the stretch, finishing fourth in the Carter Handicap (G1) on June 6 at Belmont going seven furlongs. With a race to get him going, Breen decided to wheel him back just three weeks later, a move that paid off with a strong showing that resulted in a win for the even-money favorite.

"He's awesome,” Breen said. “He came back great.

"It all worked out. I don't know if I skipped it and ran in this race, if it (turned out) he needed it. But it all worked out."

Firenze Fire burst onto the scene in 2017 capturing the Sanford (G3) at Saratoga and the Champagne (G1) at Belmont that year before hitting the Kentucky Derby trail as a sophomore. He ran 11th in the 2018 Kentucky Derby but won the Dwyer (G3) at Belmont and the Gallant Fox (G3) that year.

Overall, Firenze Fire, a Florida homebred, has posted an 11-3-2 record in 26 career starts with earnings just shy of $2 million. Breen said it's likely he will next run during the Saratoga meet.

"He's just a nice horse,” Breen said. “He's nice to be around. He's a big, muscular colt and we're just happy to see him back in the winner's circle yesterday. It's all good and we're anticipating sending him to Saratoga."

The $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1), a six-furlong test set for July 25 at the Spa, is the likely target for Firenze Fire.