A supremely confident Joel Rosario never cocked his stick in Saturday’s first race at Saratoga. Three Alarm Fire was a much-the-best winner of the seven-furlong maiden special event, blazing home while geared down in the final yards.

Off as the favorite, the chestnut son of Pyro was away a bit awkwardly and raced toward the back of the pack in the early going. When called on by Rosario he came alive going into the turn while five wide before drawing away by two widening lengths under a hand ride.

A supremely confident Joel Rosario never cocked his stick in Saturday’s first race at Saratoga. Three Alarm Fire was a much-the-best winner of the seven-furlong maiden special event, blazing home while geared down in the final yards.

Off as the favorite, the chestnut son of Pyro was away a bit awkwardly and raced toward the back of the pack in the early going. When called on by Rosario he came alive going into the turn while five wide before drawing away by two widening lengths under a hand ride.

Trained by Tom Albertrani, Three Alarm Fire is the only progeny of grade one winner Pyro competing in the United States. His dam, Tres Tres Joli was bred to Pyro in Japan before being sent back to the United States to deliver her foal. Click here to read more.

In his first start on July 11 at Belmont, Three Alarm Fire was dispatched at odds of 11-1. He broke a half a beat slow before making a very bold middle and tussling with an older horse with much more experience. He finished second, beaten two and a half lengths that day, but considering Tom Albertrani is not known for firing with first time starters, we knew he could be a special horse.

“He’s just so strong and imposing,” said Terry Finley. “He had some minor issues we had to address as a two-year-old and it took him some time to come into his own, but we’re seeing the benefit of patience now. If you watch his two races, you’ll see he’s still pretty green, which makes him all the more exciting.”

Then and now. Three Alarm Fire as a foal at Runneymede Farm in Kentucky in 2011 and as a 3-year-old at Saratoga in 2014.