Why Breen likes Firenze Fire's chances in the Breeders' Cup Sprint
When it comes to the 2021 Breeders' Cup Sprint, most of the discussion centers on Jackie's Warrior, the 6-5 morning-line favorite who is riding a three-race win streak.
Another name to watch could be Firenze Fire, who is the fifth choice in the nine-horse field at 10-1. The 6-year-old might best be remembered for savaging Yaupon in the Forego Stakes (G2), but he also has put together a record of 6: 2-3-0 this year, all in graded stakes.
[2021 Breeders’ Cup draw: See post positions, jockeys, odds]
On Saturday, Firenze Fire will try the Sprint for the third time; he finished third last year and fifth in 2019.
How does trainer Kelly Breen feel going into the race, with Jackie's Warrior being the one to beat?
"You get to this caliber of horses, we're all the horse to beat," he told Horse Racing Nation Tuesday from Del Mar. He said he arrived after midnight after a 36-hour journey.
Firenze Fire had a much smoother trip aboard a FedEx flight from Newark, N.J., Breen said, and tried out the Del Mar track Tuesday morning.
"He just looks so comfortable and nice. And the track seemed like a pillow for him. Just very happy."
Breen has several reasons to be optimistic about Firenze Fire's chances.
"Jackie's Warrior is the speed – he's a 3-year-old against older. The one horse of Pletcher's (Following Sea) is a 3-year-old against older. It's just a very competitive race. You got to beat them all. In a race like this, in the Breeders Cup – sure, (Jackie's Warrior) is the favorite. He's an extremely fast horse, but he's been beaten before. I like our post position. We're outside of what seems to be the dominant speed. And if he's still got it, you know – he's the long tooth, the old man in the field. And he's training extremely well."
Regarding the expected speed for the Sprint, Breen said, "this race kind of reminds me of last year's Breeders Cup. At Keeneland in the first couple races, speed was so deadly – I think everybody was sending. This is going to be a heated pace. I don't think naturally (Firenze Fire's) speed is going to have us in front. So I think we're going to be in a tactical position, just outside of the speed.
"There's enough speed in there, that hey, if they go :22, :44, 1:08 and they beat us, well, then it's game on. And you know, the best horse wins, but I think we're in a good tactical position. And the horse is doing well, shipped well. So we're in a good spot."
Another plus: "We're fortunate that we got Tyler Gaffalione – his first time riding (Firenze Fire) and coming off of a big meet at Keeneland."
After the Forego, Breen told HRN that the biting incident was "a one-time deal." But that doesn't mean Firenze Fire is a pushover.
"He's an alpha male, and he'll let you know it. Even just to give the rider a leg up, he raises his leg to let you know that if you do something wrong, he's going to kick you. He's a typical alpha male if there ever was one."
Still, he does have one weakness: "We've gotten him spoiled that he just absolutely loves his carrots. And if you have a carrot in your hand, he is your best friend. And if you don't, he might take a little bite at you."