On Saturday at Saratoga Race Course, the opening race is competitive. The pedigrees are vital, as you might think, and the barns that send them out are respected. I will swing now but feel free to back off if you choose. I figure this horse is either sneakily good or just plain horrible.
The #6 Lord of the Navy is the other contender, and its fitness tab appears slightly more appealing. On the main track at Keeneland, however, you can uncover some three-furlong bullet drills if you extend Fire Barons. Interesting. I'm always interested when a first-runner with a turf pedigree posts a "best of" session on the dirt. Luis Saez landing in the saddle is also intriguing.
Is Fire Baron's tale complete? Do I go too far? Possibly. However, the colt is 12-1 on the morning line and has an exciting pedigree to debate. He is by the turfer Temple City, representing the Dynaformer branch of the Roberto sideline.
Recall that Roberto won the Epsom Derby and Coronation Cup, making him a champion in Ireland and England. Grass, please. Stamina? This particular statement serves as proof that Roberto has quite the influence.
Saphiria, the mother, didn't exactly impress as a runner, to be honest. Though she lost by multiple digits on her three runs, Bryan's Jewel, a stakes winner on both dirt and turf, was a product of hers. The 2002 champion older male Left Bank, whose victories include the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap, is a three-quarters sibling of Saphira.
Left Bank and Saphira are both descended from the mare Marshesseaux. Touch Gold, who has won the Haskell Invitational and the Belmont Stakes, is Saphiria's sire. French Deputy's son, Left Bank, is in the meantime. Because Deputy Minister is the father of Touch Gold and French Deputy, Saphira and Left Bank are three-quarters siblings. In other words, Saphira and Left Bank share three of their four grandparents: their mother's parents are Dr. Blum and Labette, and although having different fathers, their paternal grandpa is a Deputy Minister in both situations.
It's not that difficult.
As a side note, I also like that Lady Josephine and her daughter Mumtaz Muhal are the ancestors of this feminine line.
In conclusion, while Fire Baron's mother never achieved victory, she did sire a Grade 3 stakes winner and is a three-quarter sibling to a champion. His lineage reflects elements from both turf and stamina. We shall see.
Sunday, August 15
Race 1: Maiden Special Weight, 2-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles, 1:05 p.m. ET, Saratoga Race Course
Eighth Fire Baron
Mike Maker, trainer
Racehorse: Luis Saez
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