Not very often does a racehorse Win a marquee race that cements his credentials as a top contender for an Eclipse Award and then gets overshadowed in most of the post-race discussions.
But that’s what’s happening with Travers Stakes Winner FIERCENESS.
No doubt about it, THORPEDO ANNA was fearless in gutting out a 2nd place finish to FIERCENESS in the Mid-Summer Derby at Saratoga, and the filly deserves every accolade accorded her for a terrific effort when facing the boys for the first time.
However, it must not be overlooked that FIERCENESS, also upped his game in a big way in the Travers and proved he could run back-to-back monster races and shine at 1 ¼ miles.
Given that the 1 ¼-mile Breeders’ Cup Classic November 2nd at Del Mar is the next stop for FIERCENESS, the Travers served as a major entrance exam, and he aced it.
The Travers effort solidified FIERCENESS (to his backers anyway) as a serious Win contender at the World Championships.
It would have been difficult to think that with any certitude prior the Travers.
FIERCENESS also showed a lot of resolve. THORPEDO ANNA came at him doggedly through the final furlong of the race and FIERCENESS fought gamely to prevail by a head.
While the final furlong in :13.27 wasn’t greased lightning, FIERCENESS took control of the race with a powerful quarter-mile in :24.34 to open a one-length lead after one mile in the Travers.
He then extended that lead with an eighth of a mile in :12.47 under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez to build a two-length advantage near the eighth pole that helped him seal a Victory.
The every-other-race is a dud narrative should now be put to bed as FIERCENESS has Won three of his last four races.
But don’t be fooled, FIERCENESS can still a bit inconsistent – clunkers in last year’s Champagne Stakes and the Kentucky Derby can’t be overlooked.
But it seems like Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is beginning to find the right buttons to push on the talented, but somewhat enigmatic colt.
“I think he’s shown his versatility now, Pletcher said. In the Jim Dandy, he was able to kind of stalk and that allowed Johnny to have confidence that he could do that, and he could ride him accordingly in the Travers. I think all of that is just experience on his part and continuing to physically and mentally develop.“
We’ll see just how far these developments have come in November at Del Mar.
