Surgery will keep FRIESAN FIRE out of Belmont

by Kim Thomas

FRIESAN FIRE, who was the early morning favorite at the Kentucky Derby, having just won three stakes victories in a row in Louisiana, is scheduled to undergo surgery on tomorrow for injuries discovered this week and will be out for at least several months, according to the colt's owner, Vinery.

(photo of FRIESAN FIRE courtesy of Photos by Z)

It was revealed today that X-rays had revealed a stress fracture in FRIESAN FIRE's left front leg and a non-displaced chip fracture in the colt's right front fetlock. FRIESAN FIRE is to undergo surgery at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital here in Lexington sometime tomorrow.

He grabbed a quarter early in the Kentucky Derby, and finished 18th; then he placed 10th in the Preakness. Sounds as if the best thing for the horse is to rest him for a while -- he will be given the next two months off before resuming training after surgery.

Trained by Larry Jones, FRIESAN FIRE won the Louisiana Derby in his last start prior to the Derby, and, despite the seven-week layoff, was made the 7-2 favorite at Churchill Downs in a field of 19.