Breeding & Racing Magazine

Bollinger Son Heads Straight To US Gr1 Kentucky Derby

In the US, trainer Larry Jones confirmed his boom 3YO son of Australian Gr1 Coolmore Classic-winning mare Bollinger (Dehere-Bint Marscay, by Marscay) will not race again before the Gr1 Kentucky Derby, but instead head into the 1st leg of the 2009 Triple Crown at Churchill Downs straight from a 7-weeks break. In his last 3 starts, Vinery Stables & Fox Hill Farms colt Friesan Fire (A.P.Indy-Bollinger, by Dehere) won January's Gr3 Lecomte Stakes (8 furlongs) at Fair Grounds & February's Gr3 Risen Star Stakes (8.5 furlongs) at Fair Grounds, before blitzing his rivals by 7.25-lengths in March's Gr2 Louisiana Derby (8.5 furlongs) at Fair Grounds. Overall Kentucky-bred Friesan Fire (passed-in for US$725,000 at the 2007 Keeneland September Yearling Sale) boasts 4 wins & 2 placings (including 2008's Gr2 Futurity Stakes over 7 furlongs at Belmont Park) from 7 starts for US$603,265 earnings. Jones summed up: "He's training exceptionally well & unless he's just tearing the barn down & we can't sit on him that long, we intend to just train straight to the Derby with him." Friesan Fire's 2nd dam was Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Bint Marscay & this is also the family of Australian track stars Filante, Kenny's Best Pal & Stella Cadente.