Firenze Fire on track to start

DEL MAR, Calif. – Firenze Fire is expected to run in Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, despite having developed an elevated temperature Wednesday morning that had his connections somewhat concerned about him making the race.

Trainer Jason Servis said Firenze Fire had a temperature of 101.6 degrees on Wednesday, which was higher than his normal 100.5, one day after shipping in from New York. By Thursday morning, the temperature was down to 101.3.

Blood was taken from Firenze Fire on Wednesday and tests came back clean, Servis said.

“He’s eating good and all the blood work’s good,” Servis said.

Servis felt confident enough to train Firenze Fire on Thursday and the colt galloped a mile over Del Mar’s main track.

“Everything looks really good,” Servis said. “We’re doing everything we can. It looks like we’re all right.”

Firenze Fire is a legitimate contender to expected heavy favorite Bolt d’Oro in the Juvenile based on his 4-for-5 record, which includes a victory in the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont on Oct. 7. His lone defeat came in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga. He had a cough that week.

Firenze Fire trained under Garrett Servis, Jason’s 27-yearold son, who flew in from south Florida, where he works as a real estate agent, but who has also galloped horses.

“He felt great,” Garrett Servis said. “I followed another horse who had a Breeders’ Cup saddle towel on and I ended up passing him. He galloped good, he felt great, and I’m excited to be part of the team.”

Firenze Fire was expected to gallop Friday morning.

– David Grening

Fipke owes two jockey fees

Owner Charles Fipke will have to pay both jockeys John Velazquez and Joel Rosario the same fee based on how much money Forever Unbridled earns in Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff, according to the Del Mar stewards.

Though Velazquez was named at entry time, the stewards concluded that Rosario had a call with trainer Dallas Stewart to ride the filly in the race. Rosario had ridden Forever Unbridled in seven of her eight starts the last two years and won three graded stakes on her, including the Grade 1 Personal Ensign on Aug. 26 at Saratoga where she defeated Songbird. Velazquez is 2 for 2 on Forever Unbridled, including a Grade 1 victory in the 2016 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn.

Ron Anderson, the agent for Rosario, told Del Mar stewards Grant Baker, Scott Chaney, and Kim Saywer that he had a call with Stewart to ride Forever Unbridled in the Distaff. Stewart confirmed that to be the case when contacted by the stewards.

In discussing their decision, the stewards said that given the timing of the change in rider assignment, Rosario did not have the opportunity to try and obtain another mount in the race. Until Monday, Velazquez did not have a mount in the Distaff.

The stewards also cited California horse racing rule 1791 which states, “Conflict claims for the services of a jockey shall be decided by the stewards.”

Jockeys make 10 percent of purse money earned for finishing first, second or third. Beyond that, a jockey receives a $150 losing mount fee, according to the stewards.

When contacted Tuesday about the jockey change, Fipke said it was “a business decision” and that he wouldn’t discuss it further.

Interestingly, Rosario rode Verve’s Tale for Fipke in the Grade 2 Turnback the Alarm Handicap last Saturday at Belmont Park. Verve’s Tale had a two-length lead in midstretch, but was beaten a head at the wire by Eskenformoney, ridden by Velazquez. – David Grening

DRF’s Hegarty honored

Daily Racing Form writer Matt Hegarty was among four honorees Thursday night at the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association annual awards dinner at The Brigantine restaurant in Del Mar.

Hegarty, who writes about industry topics ranging from medication regulation to business issues to politics, was presented with the Walter Haight Award for excellence in turf writing. He has been employed by the Form for 20 years after previously working for Thoroughbred Times.

Other award recipients were Randy Moss of NBC Sports, the Jim McKay Award for career excellence in broadcasting; owner Rick Porter, the Mr. Fitz Award for typifying the spirit of racing; and the Winners Foundation, the Joe Palmer Award for long and meritorious service to the sport.

– Marty McGee