 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Fierceness is roaring towards a mouth-watering clash with City Of Troy in the Breeders' Cup Classic after storming to victory in the Gr.1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt, digging deep in the stretch, fended off a late surge from Thorpedo Anna to clinch the US$1.25 million contest, marking a historic 200th top-level success for his esteemed handler.
Sierra Leone, the 7-4 market leader, was left trailing in third, a further length and three-quarters adrift.
The 'Midsummer Derby', as the Travers is affectionately known, has long been a crucial pointer for the season-ending championship, and Fierceness's triumph has only bolstered his credentials. The Juvenile Dirt hero from last year's Breeders' Cup is now sitting pretty as the 3-1 favourite with Paddy Power for the Del Mar showpiece. Aidan O'Brien's Juddmonte International conqueror City Of Troy is breathing down his neck at 4-1, though bet365 have taken a more cautious stance, clipping him to 5-1.
Previous Travers victors have gone on to scale great heights, with the likes of Arrogate (2016) and Essential Quality (2021) using the race as a springboard to further Group One glory. Tiz The Law (2020) parlayed his Travers success into a runner-up finish in that year's Kentucky Derby.
Owner-breeder Mike Repole is brimming with confidence after watching his charge string together consecutive wins for the first time. "This is the best 3YO in the country right now. I don't think anyone can deny it," Repole told Bloodhorse. "He's pretty special and he's going to be pretty tough in the Breeders' Cup Classic."
While Fierceness's consistency has been called into question – particularly after his Kentucky Derby flop as favourite – Pletcher has never wavered in his belief in the colt's ability.
"Honestly, I was amazed the day after the Jim Dandy. When he came out, he was full of himself," Pletcher remarked. "And you know, everyone was asking me why he was running well every other time, and does he give you any signs or signals that he's not going to run well. The answer has always been no. He always trains exceptionally well. He doesn't give you negative signs, but he had never given me so many positive signs leading into this race.
"The way he was eating, his energy level, the way he was galloping, his breezes were super. He did them easily. Everything was giving me confidence to run him back in four weeks."
In the Gr.1 Sword Dancer Stakes, Charlie Appleby's Godolphin team had to settle for minor honours as the Christophe Clement-trained Far Bridge led from pillar to post. Measured Time, under William Buick and sent off favourite, couldn't replicate his Manhattan Stakes heroics from June, finishing a length behind the winner. Stablemate Silver Knott, fresh off a Graded triumph at the track, came home three and one-quarter lengths further back in third.