Sunland Derby

Firing Line wins by 14 1/2 in New Mexico

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. -- Firing Line bolted into the Kentucky Derby picture with a 14 1/2-length victory in the Grade III $800,000 Sunland Derby at Sunland Park.

Firing Line picked up 50 points in the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" standings with the victory for trainer Simon Callaghan. Where's the Moon was second and Pain and Misery finished 2 1/4 lengths back in third.

Firing Line is sixth in the latest standings with 58 points, and is assured of a spot in the gate for the Kentucky Derby if his connections decide to head that direction.

Ridden by Hall of Famer Gary Stevens, Firing Line was coming off narrow losses to Dortmund in the Los Alamitos Derby on Dec. 20 and the Robert B. Lewis on Feb. 7 at Santa Anita.

Dortmund, the favorite for the April 4 Santa Anita Derby, is coming off a clear victory in the Grade II San Felipe Stakes on March 7.

Firing Line cruised a head behind early leader Why Two on the rail in the first turn and through much of the backstretch, before taking command and pulling away steadily through the second turn and in the stretch. He covered 6 furlongs in 1:09.12 after Why Two ran the first quarter-mile in :22.33 and half in :45.39.

The mile time was 1:34.70 and the final time clicked in at 1:47.38.

What may have been most impressive was how Firing Line handled the rail trip, essentially trapped on the inside with Why Two to his right. The 3-year-old relaxed and accelerated when Stevens asked.

"It wasn't an ideal trip," Stevens said. "It looked a lot easier than it was. I didn't like it when we drew the inside, and the race was loaded with other pace, but this colt--he probably handled things a lot better than I did. He makes easy work of it and the best thing he's got going for him is his mind. He's way beyond his career right now, as far as where he is mentally.

"He was battled-tested in his last race against Dortmund, so it was nice to get an easy one today."

"I was watching the race, and being inside the whole way, I was nervous," Callaghan said, expanding on the inside trip. "But when you're really good, you can overcome when things go against you. That's what exceptional horses do."

Firing Line returned $2.40, $2.10, and $2.10 across the board. Where's the Moon, who entered the race coming off a victory in the Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland Feb. 21, delivered $4.40 and $3. Pain and Misery paid $4.80 to show.

Tiznow R J finished fourth, followed by Dirt Monster, Why Two, and Malibu Mogul, to complete the order of finish. Lord Nelson was scratched.

Information for this article contributed by bloodhorse.com, equibase.com and drf.com.

Sports on 03/23/2015

Upcoming Events