To be fair, Firefighter is maturing slowly, so I don't want to be premature in calling him a disappointment.
On the other hand, this fellow has a very encouraging AR, which set a high bar on our expectations.
The dam, Rosa's Comment was not successful on the track, but the sire, Bellbuster, has a reputation for producing solid foals. That is what prompted us to acquire Firefighter at auction as a 2yo.
Upon receiving the AR after the acquisition, we were elated. He looked like a sure thing on paper. We were a little concerned about his immaturity, but figured that we were bound to see something positive on the track during his first racing season. After all, our former racer Predator matured extremely slowly and he still managed 6 wins as a 2yo in 2004.
Firefighter's first race in 2008 was a Starter Allowance at 4.5 furlongs. He finished 13th of 15 and had a speed score of 45. After a couple months off we tried him at 6 furlongs in the Sapling Stakes. He finished 5th of 6 with a speed score of 30. In both races, he finished over 25 lengths off the lead.
Those two disappointing runs were enough to show us that Firefighter just wasn't ready. We decided to take him off the racing circuit until he turned three.
Here is the AR:
Firefighter (2006), 15.3 hand golden chestnut colt
By Bellbuster out of Rosa's Comment by Editor's Note
This horse will mature at the average rate, probably will not peak until after the Derby.
This horse will have an average performance peak, at least two racing seasons.
This horse will be immature at Derby time, likely overpowered by more mature horses.
This horse prefers hard dirt.
This horse is good on soft dirt.
This horse dislikes mud.
This horse is ok on hard turf.
This horse is good on soft turf.
This horse doesn't like a stretch duel. May not fight to keep the lead at the wire.
This horse is very hardy and unlikely to fall victim to injuries.
This horse obeys its jockey and is flexible in its pacing.
This horse has average curve handling abilities.
This horse cruises once it has the lead.
This horse handles traffic ok.
This horse is very consistent, lives up to its potential most times.
This horse recovers fairly quickly between races.
This horse has average weight carrying capacity.
This horse stalks the pace.
This horse has good acceleration.
This horse breaks well out of the gate.
This horse has good speed. Could set records.
Handles 5f to 1 1/4mi.
We think that Firefighter has the tools to succeed and we eagerly await the racing season to see if the extra time and training has made a difference.
On the other hand, this fellow has a very encouraging AR, which set a high bar on our expectations.
The dam, Rosa's Comment was not successful on the track, but the sire, Bellbuster, has a reputation for producing solid foals. That is what prompted us to acquire Firefighter at auction as a 2yo.
Upon receiving the AR after the acquisition, we were elated. He looked like a sure thing on paper. We were a little concerned about his immaturity, but figured that we were bound to see something positive on the track during his first racing season. After all, our former racer Predator matured extremely slowly and he still managed 6 wins as a 2yo in 2004.
Firefighter's first race in 2008 was a Starter Allowance at 4.5 furlongs. He finished 13th of 15 and had a speed score of 45. After a couple months off we tried him at 6 furlongs in the Sapling Stakes. He finished 5th of 6 with a speed score of 30. In both races, he finished over 25 lengths off the lead.
Those two disappointing runs were enough to show us that Firefighter just wasn't ready. We decided to take him off the racing circuit until he turned three.
Here is the AR:
Firefighter (2006), 15.3 hand golden chestnut colt
By Bellbuster out of Rosa's Comment by Editor's Note
This horse will mature at the average rate, probably will not peak until after the Derby.
This horse will have an average performance peak, at least two racing seasons.
This horse will be immature at Derby time, likely overpowered by more mature horses.
This horse prefers hard dirt.
This horse is good on soft dirt.
This horse dislikes mud.
This horse is ok on hard turf.
This horse is good on soft turf.
This horse doesn't like a stretch duel. May not fight to keep the lead at the wire.
This horse is very hardy and unlikely to fall victim to injuries.
This horse obeys its jockey and is flexible in its pacing.
This horse has average curve handling abilities.
This horse cruises once it has the lead.
This horse handles traffic ok.
This horse is very consistent, lives up to its potential most times.
This horse recovers fairly quickly between races.
This horse has average weight carrying capacity.
This horse stalks the pace.
This horse has good acceleration.
This horse breaks well out of the gate.
This horse has good speed. Could set records.
Handles 5f to 1 1/4mi.
We think that Firefighter has the tools to succeed and we eagerly await the racing season to see if the extra time and training has made a difference.
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