FIRST SAMURAI was among the sires with winners on the Preakness Stakes (G1) card at Pimlico when Fire Sword romped in an Allowance.
Making his fourth career start, the Wesley Ward-trained gelding was the third fastest out of the gate but quickly settled into stride in the six furlong dirt race. From there, Fire Sword went straight to the lead and ignored the pressure from multiple horses down the backstretch .
With John Velazquez aboard, Fire Sword had even more to give in the stretch and opened up over three lengths with a furlong left to go. In the end, Fire Sword was never even challenged and won by 3 ¾ lengths for Silverton Hill scoring an 86 Beyer.
The only blip for the gelding in his four starts came on the Turfway Park synthetic surface with his three victories won by a combined 12 ¾ lengths. Bred by D.J. Stables and Joe Orseno, Fire Sword was an $80,000 short yearling purchase by Silverton Hill at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton February Sale.
Out of the Elusive Quality mare Fiery Star, Fire Sword is one of five winners for FIRST SAMURAI out of Elusive Quality mares with the group led by Grade 3 winner Get Happy Mister.
Fire Sword is the second foal out of three-time winner Fiery Star, who is a half-sister to two stakes performers with one of those also the dam of multiple Grade 1-placed Edwards Going Left. This family also includes South African champion Tytola, whose dam is the Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Tolanda.
Fiery Star also has an unnamed 2-year-old colt by FIRST SAMURAI’s Grade 1 winning son and Claiborne studmate LEA.