Fueling Firenze Fire: Taking a Bite Out of the Competition

Hello, everyone. This is Ron Lombardi, CEO of SportsCare Physical Therapy, and owner of Mr. Amore Stables and Firenze Fire.

A lot of you have been wondering when Firenze Fire would run again following “The Big Bite” in the Forego, when he savaged Yaupon on August 28, 2021, up in Saratoga.

With that bite, Firenze Fire became the most famous horse in the world, blowing up social media and even making ESPN’s Top Ten plays of the day. Unfortunately, that bite cost him the race, cost him another Grade 1 win, and cost me a few Shekels…..

Firenze Fire’s next race will be this Saturday in the Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont, then he’ll be on his way to the Breeder’s Cup early next month to run in the Breeder’s Cup Sprint at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in California.

The Florida Bred, Firenze Fire will race from post four in the Vosburgh in a field of five. It looks to be a great day for racing, partly sunny and 69 degrees.

This would be a great win for him as it is another “win and you’re in” event. It will actually be his fifth time going to the Breeder’s cup – only three other horses have done that, Better Talk Now, Kona Gold, and Obviously – and if he wins, it will be his third “win and you’re in” trip. I am hoping that the fifth time will be the charm.

Firenze Fire has developed many nicknames in recent weeks, such as “Jaws” and “Man Eater”. The event is known as “The bite heard around the world” – his tactics in the forego. While the savaging has made him famous, he has been a fan favorite for some time.

He always tries, and has delivered in 14 of 36 starts, earning over $2.6 million. He is 7 for 11 at Belmont, some call it his home field. His new fame is exciting. However, I would have preferred the Grade 1 win!

About Firenze Fire:

Many have also asked where Firenze Fire came from. He’s a homebred – out of My Every Wish/Poseidon’s Warrior. He started his career winning first time out at Monmouth Park back in 2017. Then won the Sanford (Grade 3) at Saratoga and the Champagne (Grade 1) at Belmont.

From there, he went on to the Derby trail racing the NYRA circuit to qualify for the Kentucky Derby in 2018. As a six-year-old, Firenze Fire has earned over $400,000 with two wins and placing twice in five starts. It could be argued that he is in the best shape of his racing career this year.

About Mr. Amore Stables:

Mr. Amore Stables has been operating since 2008, and has featured other notable horses such as Tightend Touchdown, Ribo Bobo, and American Border.

Currently, there are 74 horses in the stable, of which 30 are racing and 22 are broodmares. The stable boasts 357 career first-place finishes and operates out of New Jersey, New York, and Florida.

About SportsCare Physical Therapy:

SportsCare is an outpatient physical therapy company with over 70 locations across New Jersey, New York, and Florida, and an official partner of the New York Red Bulls and New York Rangers.

Services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, aquatic therapy, sports medicine, injury prevention, women’s health, pediatrics, golf training, and more. Complimentary wellness screenings are offered at all locations.