TDN RISING STARS

August 27, 2011 - Saratoga, Race 2, Msw, USD $63,000, 6f

Fire On Ice, C, 2011, by Unbridled's Song

1st Dam: Lost in the Storm, by Storm Cat
2nd Dam: Lost The Code, by Lost Code
3rd Dam: Smarter By the Day, by Smarten

Owner: John Kimmel & Eli Gindi
Breeder: Mike Abraham & Taylor Made Stallions Inc (KY)
Trainer: John Kimmel

The 2-year-old maiden races on the Travers undercard always offer a first glance at future stars--champion Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) garnered the "TDN Rising Star" distinction for his romp here last year--and the trend continued in 2011. Fire On Ice, whose dam is a half to champion sprinter Squirtle Squirt (Marquetry), didn't secure a winning bid at KEEAPR after working in :21 3/5 over the Polytrack (Video), but co-owner John Kimmel had the grey ready to roll at first asking here off an upbeat series of works. Taking significant action to be as low as 2-1 into the teeth of a heavily touted Pletcher/Repole entry, Fire On Ice was 5-2 at the offing. He was pumped from the bell by David Cohen to secure the lead, and set splits of :22.29 and :45.07 with Casual Trick (Bernardini) at his right hip. Fire On Ice shook clear at the top of the lane, and the hulking colt poured it on to cruise by 10 3/4 lengths. Our Entourage (Street Cry {Ire})--part of the favored duo--bested fast-closing Penn's Grant (Empire Maker) by a neck for second. Sales history: $160,000 yrl '10 FTKJUL; $170,000 RNA 2yo '11 KEEAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $36,000.