2015 Sunland Derby Winner
Sire: Line of David
Grandsire: Lion Heart
Dam: Sister Girl Blues
Damsire: Hold For Gold
Sex: Stallion
Foaled: 2012
Country: United States
Colour: Bay
Breeder: Clearsky Farms
Owner: Arnold Zetcher
Trainer: Simon Callaghan
Jockey: Gary Stevens
Record: 8 Starts: 2 - 4 - 0
Earnings: $976,000
Major races: Hollywood Derby (2015), Sunland Derby (2015)
Firing Line was a fast and game colt who put in one of the most memorable runner up efforts in Kentucky Derby history. He was foaled in 2012 and trained by Simon Callaghan for owner Arnold Zetcher. His sire was Line of David, who won the 2010 Arkansas Derby, and his dam was Sister Girl Blues, a daughter of Hold for Gold. Firing Line was a striking dark bay colt who showed plenty of speed and a strong will to win.
He started his career with promise as a two year old in 2014, picking up his first stakes win in the Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs. He came into 2015 as a serious Derby contender after some sharp efforts at Santa Anita and Sunland Park. The big tune up came in the 2015 Sunland Derby, where Firing Line went head to head with the giant Dortmund and gave him all he could handle before losing a thrilling stretch duel by a half length. The race made everyone take notice.
The 2015 Kentucky Derby turned into one of the great races of the decade. American Pharoah, Dortmund, and Firing Line put on a show, and Firing Line ran the race of his life. He battled with American Pharoah the length of the stretch and lost by only a length. Dortmund finished third. Many fans thought Firing Line had run a winning race against anything other than the eventual Triple Crown champion. The performance stamped him as one of the best colts of his crop.
Sadly, injury kept Firing Line from running in the Preakness Stakes or any other races after the Derby. He was retired and sent to stud, where he stood as a regional stallion. He earned just over 800,000 dollars from 9 starts with 4 wins. Firing Line is remembered as the colt who pushed American Pharoah to the limit on the first Saturday in May, a true warrior who ran his heart out on the biggest stage.
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