What a journey!
Fierceness stumbled firstly from the within publish, practically crashed into the non permanent rail, was expertly straightened out by jockey John Velazquez and went on to weave his approach to victory over favourite Journalism within the $1 million Pacific Traditional at Del Mar on Saturday.
As soon as once more, it was exhausting to decide whether or not Fierceness would deliver his ‘A’ recreation to the West Coast and tackle native hero and fan favourite Journalism, guess all the way down to 2-5 in his first race towards older horses.
This was Fierceness at his finest, although. After two latest losses, within the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) and a fifth within the Whitney Stakes (G1), the 4-year-old Metropolis of Mild colt placed on a superb efficiency and received by 3 ¼ lengths.
In defeating a gallant Journalism, Fierceness ($5.20 for a $2 win guess) earned a fees-paid berth to the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Traditional (G1) at this identical observe on Nov. 1 as a part of the Breeders’ Cup Problem “Win and You’re In” collection.
“This was the most effective performances I’ve ever seen,’’ successful proprietor Mike Repole stated. “Not simply by my horse however any horse. He shipped on the market on Tuesday and simply raced a race we’ll speak about for years.”
The 34th version of the Pacific Traditional might have misplaced some luster earlier within the day when coach Bob Baffert’s Nysos – the morning-line favourite was scratched – however Fierceness made this model one to recollect.
Final Gamble was again 6 ½ lengths again in third, adopted by Indispensable, Lure Him In, Midnight Mammoth and Tarantino. Profitable time was 2:01.00.
After Fierceness was straightened out, he stalked in fourth from the within, went between rivals within the backstretch, cut up the leaders within the far flip with a daring transfer, kicked clear into the stretch and simply held off Journalism, winner of the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1).
By advantage of his win within the Haskell, Journalism already clinched a spot within the subject for the BC Traditional.
“He reveals up each time,’’ majority proprietor of Journalism Aron Wellman stated. “We didn’t assume he’d be that far again (greater than seven lengths alongside the backstretch). It takes some time for him to get going. However Johnny and Fierceness discovered a seam on the 3/16th pole. Todd and Johnny are all class. For those who’re going to lose, lose to a champion. We’ll be again.”
Fierceness, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner and 2023 2-year-old champion, additionally received the 2024 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) and Travers Stakes (G1). He’s received 7 of 12 races with earnings of greater than $5.1 million.
Within the different “Win and You’re In’’ races at Del Mar …
Favourite Motorious ($5.60) was declared the official winner of the $150,000 Inexperienced Flash Handicap (G3) after first-place finisher Reef Runner was disqualified for interference with one other horse simply after the beginning. The win earned Motorious a fees-paid berth within the Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash (G1) on Nov. 1.
Seven-year-old gelding Gold Phoenix received the Del Mar Handicap (G3) for the fourth yr in a row and earned a fee-paid berth within the Breeder’s Cup Turf (G1) on Nov. 1.
Saratoga Race Course
Flower Bowl Stakes outcomes: Bellezza rallies for victory
A well-timed, last-to-first run by Eire-bred Bellezza ($7.50) resulted in a 2 ¼-length win within the $500,000 Flower Bowl Stakes (G2) and a fees-paid berth within the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
Skilled by Miguel Clement, the 4-year-old filly ridden by Jaime Rodriguez raced comfortably behind the seven-horse subject. After a mile, she started transferring up, raced into third within the stretch and rallied in deep stretch to defeat Amber Cascade, with Be Your Finest third and favourite La Mehana (additionally educated by Clement) fourth.
Profitable time for the 1 3/16 miles on the agency turf was 2:14.80.
Spinaway Stakes outcomes: Tommy Jo delivers
Tommy Jo ($4), the even-money favourite in a subject of seven, rolled to a 6 ½ size victory over Percy’s Bar within the $300,000 Spinaway Stakes (G2) for 2-year-old fillies and incomes a fees-paid berth within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar on Oct. 31.
Skilled by Pletcher, the filly ridden by Kendrick Carmouche is now 2-for-2 and coated the 7 furlongs in 1:23.39. Her subsequent begin might come within the Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 3, Pletcher stated after successful a record-extending his seventh Spinaway.
Legendary, who got here into the race 3-for-3, completed fifth.
There have been three scratches: Meringue, Ornellaia and Steer Clear.
Kentucky Downs
Kentucky Turf Dash outcomes: Bear River pulls off an upset
Bear River ($40.30), despatched off at 19-1, led from the beginning and held off favourite Howard Wolowitz by a half-length in successful the $2 million Kentucky Turf Sprint (G2) and earn a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
The 4-year-old Kentucky-bred ridgling educated by Keith Desormeaux raced simply off the rail many of the method within the 6-furlong dash, then withstood an inside push by Howard Wolowitz within the ultimate strides for the shock win.
Bear River, ridden by James Graham, got here into the race off a victory within the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Dash Stakes at Ellis Park on Aug. 3. He’s now 7-for-22 and boosted his earnings to $1.7 million from $543,000.
