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| Sumita Pawar |
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Fierceness, the highly anticipated favorite for the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby on 4th May, had an impressive final workout for the classic on April 26th at Churchill Downs. The colt breezed four furlongs in :48 4/5 under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, leaving workmate Agate Road far behind in the gallop out. Fierceness had spent the winter and early spring at Palm Beach Downs in South Florida, making this his first workout at the Louisville, Ky., oval. The workout was followed by a gallop out of five furlongs in 1:00 3/5, six furlongs in 1:12 3/5, and seven furlongs in 1:26.
Fierceness was one of four potential Derby starters to work on Friday in Kentucky. The others included Endlessly, Epic Ride, and Seize the Grey. Endlessly completed a half-mile in :47 4/5 at Churchill Downs, while Epic Ride completed a half-mile in :51 1/5 at The Thoroughbred Center, and Seize the Grey completed five furlongs in 1:00 at Churchill Downs. Epic Ride and Seize the Grey currently need defections to gain entry into the 20-horse starting gate, as they do not have as many Kentucky Derby qualifying points as others. However, they could still potentially be entered in the Derby and draw into the race as an also-eligible.
Owner Mike Repole was thrilled with Fierceness' workout, saying, "He actually galloped out faster than the work...I told Johnny he worked him seven furlongs today." Velazquez and trainer Todd Pletcher, who have five Kentucky Derby wins between them, were also pleased with the workout. Velazquez noted he was "very happy," and Pletcher remarked that Fierceness "did it effortlessly, came back and cooled out quickly."
Endlessly, the Gr.3 Jeff Ruby Steaks winner, had his final published workout ahead of a start at Churchill Downs on 4th May. However, it is still undecided which race he will run in, the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby or Gr.2 American Turf. Trainer Michael McCarthy said, "No decision has been made, we'll keep all our options open." During the workout, Endlessly completed an "exaggerated" half-mile before galloping out five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 and six furlongs in 1:13 4/5, sitting outside of a stablemate. This was one of the better recent dirt workouts from Endlessly, who has not yet raced on a dirt surface.
Jockey Umberto Rispoli, who will ride the colt in his upcoming start, was in town for the workout before flying back to California soon after.
McCarthy thinks highly of the Oscar Performance colt, who has only lost once in six starts, a 3 1/2-length defeat when eighth in the 3rd Nov Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Though all of his four starts at 2 were on turf, and his two starts this year have come on the synthetic Tapeta tracks at Golden Gate Fields and Turfway Park, McCarthy believes that Endlessly is one of the best 3YOs of 2024.
In conclusion, the workouts of Fierceness and Endlessly have left fans and experts alike excited for the upcoming races at Churchill Downs. The anticipation for the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby is building, and we can't wait to see which horses will make it to the starting gate on 4th May.