[1] Open Fire was a bay mare sired by Brandywine Stable's multiple stakes winner Cochise.
Owned and raced under the Brandywine Stable banner by Delaware Park Racetrack president Donald P. Ross, Open Fire was trained by Buddy Raines.
A late developer, in 1966 the five-year-old was one of the dominant mares in American racing whose performances earned her United States Champion Handicap Mare honors from the Daily Racing Form.
[2] The rival Thoroughbred Racing Association award was won by Summer Scandal.
In one of her impressive performances at Saratoga, Open Fire won the Diana Handicap by ten lengths on a sloppy track.