Friesan Fire took the Grade 2, $600,000 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 14, 2009. He was good in the Lecomte on January 10, better in the Risen Star on February 7, and sensational in the Louisiana Derby.

Friesan Fire completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.46 on a track that had turned to slop following showers that fell throughout most of the day, sometimes heavily. Friesan Fire had finished third in his only previous race on an off track, in the Belmont Futurity last September, in only his second career start.