Easy Pre Derby Breeze for Firing Line

Arnold Zetcher’s Firing Line (Line of David) completed what trainer Simon Callaghan called an “easy” five-furlong work in 102.20 at Santa Anita Saturday under jockey Gary Stevens. It was the final GI Kentucky Derby preparation for the GIII Sunland Derby romper, who ships to Louisville Sunday. 

“Just what we wanted for him,” Callaghan said. “He’s shipping tomorrow–he’ll be on a plane at 1 a.m.–and we didn’t want to do too much with him. Gary liked the move very much. We just stretched his legs a little bit. He’s very fit; very ready to do what he has to do.” 

A second out winner at Del Mar last November, Firing Line was second to the undefeated Dortmund (Big Brown) in both the GI Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 20 and the GIII Robert B. Lewis S. Feb. 7.