Fired Up Tiger with James Graham aboard. (Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.)
By Maribeth Kalinich
NEWS ORLEANS, La.—Dianne M. Harrington’s homebred 3-year-old filly Fired Up Tiger scored her third win in a row with the victory in the 12th running of the $50,000 Magic City Class for Alabama-breds at Fair Grounds.
Fired Up Tiger trained by Patrick Devereux, Jr., set the pace with Liken It stalking along the inside with Foolish Steve moving up to challenge. Liken It chased the embattled leading pair around the far turn,
With James Graham up Fired Up Tiger sparred with outer bidder Foolish Steve ridden by Jose Rodriguez around the far turn but tenaciously repelled that rival coming to the final. Foolish Steve remained well clear for place.
Kellys The Boss with Alexander Castillo aboard saved ground off of the pace, gained show from an outer rival entering the lane, and fended off an inner foe for that position through the late stages.
Bobby Jr. raced in midpack two wide, shifted inwardly in upper stretch, vied for show with an outer rival in the closing stages, but missed finishing fourth.
Two Mikes N Doc G lacked speed three wide and faded to fifth. Liken It weakened while lugging out entering the lane finishing sixth.
Bama Drifter lagged behind while kept wide and showed little while eased through the lane.
Fired Up Tiger completed the one-mile dirt test in 1:38.83 setting a first quarter in 23.94.
Fired Up Tiger paid $4.80, 2.60 and 2.40 for the win. Foolish Steve paid $2.40 and 2.10 for place and Kellys The Boss paid $8.00 for show.
By Firing Line out of Run Away and Hide mare Lily So Lovely, Fired Up Tiger comes off a win in an Allowance at Delta Downs and a stakes win in the Fall Roll Tide at Louisiana Downs.
The chestnut filly improved her record to three wins and five seconds in eleven starts with $92,270 in earnings.
