Arnold Zetcher's 2015 GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Firing Line (Line of David–Sister Girl Blues, by Hold for Gold), who was retired from racing in late November, will enter stud at Crestwood Farm in 2017 for a fee of $5,000, the farm confirmed Monday. The Simon Callaghan trainee ran second in the GI Los Alamitos Futurity as a 2-year-old and dominated the 2015 GIII Sunland Derby by 14 1/4 lengths in track record-setting time prior to his gritty Kentucky Derby effort behind eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile).
“We are very excited to welcome Firing Line to Crestwood,” said farm owner Pope McLean. “He was a Grade I-placed 2-year-old with loads of speed and ability. He showed he could carry that speed when he set a track record at a mile and an eighth as a 3-year-old. That 3-year-old crop of 2015 is proving to be one of the best in years, and he beat all of them in the GI Kentucky Derby, except the Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah. He is as nice of a physical as you can see, and we think breeders will agree.”
Zetcher will retain a majority interest in the colt, who will participate in Crestwood's “Share the Upside” program.
“Firing Line was by far the best horse I've ever owned,” Zetcher said upon the announcement of the colt's retirement. “He gave us the thrill of a lifetime.”
Firing Line retired with a record of 2-4-0 from eight starts and earnings of $976,000. Out of GISP Sister Girl Blues, Firing Line was a $65,000 Keeneland November weanling, $150,000 Fasig-Tipton July yearling and $240,000 Keeneland April juvenile. His second dam produced Grade II winner Mint Lane (Maria's Mon), as well as the dams of this year's GIII Pat Day Mile S. victor Sharp Azteca (Freud) and Del Mar Juvenile Turf S. winner Bowies Hero (Artie Schiller).
Firing Line will be available for viewing at Crestwood's stallion show in January.
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