California Crown, Fit to Fire showdown promises fireworks

Down-in-class CALIFORNIA CROWN galloped a bullet 1:05.1 for five and a half furlongs at exercise, prepping for his clash with American import FIT TO FIRE, who makes his second local appearance in Sunday’s Vassell ‘Jolly Man’ Najair Memorial.

A Florida-bred gelding with three wins on that circuit under his girth, FIT TO FIRE went off as the 4-5 favourite on his local debut but was taken out by a fellow American, OF A REVOLUTION, in an overnight-allowance event at six and a half furlongs on September 26.

A winner of his last two races in Florida, both at six furlongs, beating US$8,000 claimers at Gulfstream Park in May and US$10,000 sellers at Tampa Bay in April, FIT TO FIRE took over from OF A REVOLUTION down the backstretch but surrendered the lead when his rival made a bid three furlongs out.

OF A REVOLUTION quickened away in the stretch run to post 1:19.3, humbling FIT TO FIRE on his first start locally, sending trainer Omar Williams back to the drawing board.

After watching FIT TO FIRE gallop five furlongs in 1:01.0 last Saturday morning, Williams has removed the gelding’s figure-eight noseband for his clash with plucky CALIFORNIA CROWN, who has held his own as a top-class sprinter since winning the 2000 Guineas in 2024.

CALIFORNIA CROWN engaged in a battle royale with American speedster DESERT OF MALIBU when last out, grappling from the gate in a heated speed duel, which the foreigner won but was afterwards disqualified for drifting right under Dane Dawkins’ left-handed whipping.

Stepping down in class among overnight-allowance runners, dropping from open allowance, CALIFORNIA CROWN’s blinding speed could catch FIT TO FIRE flat-footed, more so with the foreigner breaking from post-position two under topweight 126lb.

DaCosta drilled CALIFORNIA CROWN in a standing start at the distance last Sunday morning, leaving nothing on the track, the closest gallop at the distance that morning being DOTHRAKI’s 1:05.4.

Leading rider Tevin Foster has opted off CALIFORNIA CROWN for FIT TO FIRE, to which DaCosta has responded by summoning Robert Halledeen and revving his runner at exercise for the showdown.

FIT TO FIRE came from behind when beating US$10,000 claimers at Tampa Bay but won on the lead at Gulfstream Park, clocking 1:10.2 on both occasions, suggesting he is versatile and could have needed his debut to acclimatise.