Kentucky-bred Fierceness showed tremendous determination in turning back Thorpedo Anna to win the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) by a head at Saratoga on Saturday, Aug. 24.
A Repole Stable homebred, Fierceness, the reigning Eclipse Champion 2-Year-Old Colt, earned back-to-back wins for the first time in his career with the score. He captured Saratoga’s Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) in his previous start on July 27.
Ridden by John Velazquez for trainer Todd Pletcher, Fierceness broke in after the start and settled in fourth position early in the 1 ¼-mile fixture. He advanced to stack outside the top pair—Batten Down and Dornoch—nearing the five-sixteenths. He seized command outside the quarter pole and opened a length on the field. Fierceness gamely held on late following a relentless rally from Thorpedo Anna, the lone filly in the field, to score by a head at the finish. He covered the distance in 2:02.79.
Fierceness Makes History
In victory, Fierceness became just the 13th horse to turn the Jim Dandy/Travers double, joining a list that includes the Pletcher-trained and Repole-owned Stay Thirsty (2011). By City of Light, Fierceness is out of the winning Stay Thirsty mare Nonna Bella.
“That was incredible,” Pletcher said. “He sat patiently, made a big move, and held off a tremendous filly.”
Ken McPeek, trainer of Kentucky Oaks (G1) victress Thorpedo Anna, said, “I’m just proud of the team and everything. We’ve had a lot of fun with her, and she’s been great. Everything really went to plan other than one horse in her way. She’s so special, and we’re just really proud of her.”
Now a winner in five of eight lifetime starts, Fierceness has amassed earnings of more than $2.6 million. In addition to winning the Jim Dandy and the Travers, Fierceness romped in this year’s Florida Derby (G1) and also won last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).