Friesan Fire in training for 2011

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Two years ago Mine That Bird upset the field to win the 135th Kentucky Derby at odds of 50-1. The gelding went on to finish second in the Preakness Stakes and third in the Belmont Stakes. He is now retired.

However, the favorite in the 2009 Run for the Roses is very much not retired and is training to return to the races.

Friesan Fire, the 7-2 favorite that first Saturday in May, is back at his favorite track in preparation for his 2011 debut. Owner Rick Porter stated on his website that the five-year-old is at the Fair Grounds with trainer Steve Asmussen.

"He is training well and we know he loves that race track," Porter said.

Friesan Fire is the winner of $615,296 with five wins in 14 career starts. He won his first three starts as a three-year-old at the Fair Grounds, taking the LeComte, Risen Star and Louisiana Derby.

The 2009 Kentucky Derby was a disaster for Porter's horse. After getting bounced around at the start he made a mid-race move, but eventually finished next to last in the 19 horse field.

Two weeks later the colt was 10th to Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness and was rested till December when he was third in an allowance race at the Fair Grounds.

Last year Friesan Fire had one win in four starts, taking the Louisiana Handicap to begin his 2010 campaign.

The runner-up in that race was General Quarters, owned and trained by Tom McCarthy. The five-year-old is also at the Fair Grounds.

"He looks good. It's great to have him back down here with me," said McCarthy.

In 2010 along with his second in the Louisiana Handicap, General Quarters was runner-up in the New Orleans Handicap and won the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs.