Firing Line movin’ up in AP’s Derby Top 10; Dortmund No. 1

FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2015, file photo provided by Benoit Photo, Dortmund, right, and jockey Martin Garcia, hold off Firing Line and jockey Gary Stevens to win the Grade III $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes horse race at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. Firing Line moves up the latest list of the AP's Top 10 Kentucky Derby contenders, and this weekend's Florida Derby promises to shake up the rankings even more. (AP Photo/Benoit Photo, File) FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2015, file photo provided by Benoit Photo, Dortmund, right, and jockey Martin Garcia, hold off Firing Line and jockey Gary Stevens to win the Grade III $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes horse race at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. Firing Line moves up the latest list of the AP's Top 10 Kentucky Derby contenders, and this weekend's Florida Derby promises to shake up the rankings even more. (AP Photo/Benoit Photo, File)

By Associated Press March 24, 2015 4 min read

Look out Dortmund, Firing Line may be running head to head with you again on Derby Day.

The 3-year-old colt who twice lost by a head to top-rated Dortmund in California, soared to No. 4 in the AP’s latest Run to the Roses’ Top 10 Kentucky Derby rankings after a record-setting romp in New Mexico.

While the Land of Enchantment isn’t the typical path to the Kentucky Derby, Firing Line’s 14 1/4-length victory in Sunday’s Sunland Derby is still impressive. He ran 1 1/8 miles in a track record 1:47.39. Plus, he’s ridden by three-time Kentucky Derby winner Gary Stevens.

The Hall of Fame jockey says he’s in a great spot: “He did it all very professionally. Real easy. He can do well at the next level.”

And there’s this: In 2009, Mine That Bird ran fourth in the Sunland Derby before pulling a huge upset in the Kentucky Derby at 50-1 odds.