Zetcher Seeks Derby Glory With Firing Line

Many components drive racing, among the most important, the owners, who seldom receive as much recognition as the horses, jockeys and trainers, but nevertheless, are an integral part of the game.

After all, they pay the freight.

Arnold Zetcher has enjoyed a good run as an owner and breeder, but like others in that category, still has designs on the game’s grandest prize, the Kentucky Derby. He hopes to fill that void come May 2 when his Firing Line goes in the 141st Run for the Roses.

Trained by Simon Callaghan and ridden by three-time Derby winner Gary Stevens, Firing Line worked five furlongs at Santa Anita last Saturday in 59.20. Callaghan plans to work the colt again tomorrow and ship him to Kentucky on April 26.

“He looked real good,” Zetcher said of the front-running winner of the Sunland Derby by 14 ¼ lengths. “He did it easy, he went in 59 and change and galloped out (six furlongs) in 1:12. It was exactly the time we were hoping for. Gary liked the way he did it, too.

“We’ve run two horses in the Derby, Midnight Interlude, after he won the (2011) Santa Anita Derby; he didn’t do well, and then Liaison, who came in sixth (in 2012). I think Firing Line could be our best opportunity.

“He had six weeks between the Robert Lewis (Feb. 7) and the Sunland Derby (March 22) and he’ll have six weeks until the Derby. That was the plan all along.

“We thought the timing was right. There are good 3-year-olds this year. Dortmund and American Pharoah from here, and Carpe Diem and Frosted from back east.

“The competition is stiff, but it’s exciting.”

Source: Santa Anita Park