In the $1 million Grade 1 Pacific Classic Stakes, which took place Aug. 30 at Del Mar, Fierceness triumphed over Journalism, the 2-5 favorite, in a widely anticipated competition between the 4-year-old star and the Preakness Stakes victor of this year.
Fierceness commenced the race from the inside post, and following a slight veer shortly after the start, jockey John Velazquez maintained his position behind the leading horses. However, Velazquez executed a daring maneuver between horses after the frontrunners completed six furlongs in 1:10.26, seizing control of the race.
Under the guidance of trainer Todd Pletcher, Fierceness reached the mile marker in 1:35.70 and extended his lead as he approached the home turn. Journalism, a three-year-old, initially lagged behind under Umberto Rispoli, but then advanced, closing in on the leader down the stretch. Despite his efforts, Journalism was unable to gain sufficient ground and ultimately secured a clear second-place finish in his inaugural race against older horses. Fierceness concluded the 1 1/4 miles on a fast track in 2:01.00, paying $5.20 for the win.
The Del Mar audience of 13,432 anticipated a contest among Journalism, the local favorite, Fierceness, the East Coast challenger, and Nysos, Bob Baffert’s prominent 4-year-old. However, Nysos was withdrawn on the morning of the race due to a bruised hind foot.
Typically, Fierceness sets the pace or closely follows it. In this particular race, he was positioned fourth along the rail.
“We found ourselves boxed in behind other horses, appearing to be trapped,” stated Pletcher. “I believe Johnny made an excellent choice in splitting the horses and allowing him to initiate his move slightly earlier.”
Fierceness secured the lead, but the race was far from decided as Journalism commenced his pursuit. Journalism overtook the other contenders and focused on Fierceness in the stretch. However, by that point, Fierceness had established a significant lead, leaving Journalism with considerable ground to cover. The younger competitor persisted, but the task proved too demanding. Fierceness widened his advantage to 3 1/4 lengths at the finish line.
Journalism outperformed the remaining horses, finishing 6 1/2 lengths ahead of Ultimate Gamble, who came in third.
The triumph of Fierceness earned him a spot in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series “Win and You’re In” initiative. The Pacific Classic shares the same distance and surface as the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will be held at Del Mar on Nov. 1. Last year, when Del Mar also hosted the Breeders’ Cup, Fierceness finished second to Sierra Leone, who overtook him in the stretch.
“We felt that his performance at Del Mar in the Breeders’ Cup Classic was deserving of a win,” Pletcher commented. “He simply faced overly rapid fractions and was unable to sustain it over that distance. However, we believed that he was comfortable with the surface.”
Fierceness is owned by Derrick Smith, Mike Repole’s Repole Stable, Michael Tabor, and Mrs. John Magnier. Pletcher mentioned that he observed the race with Repole at Repole’s Saratoga residence. Fierceness, whose most recent race was a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes Aug. 2 at Saratoga, had the option of competing in the Aug. 31 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga, but his connections opted to send him to Del Mar.
Pletcher indicated that the current plan involves Fierceness returning to New York Sept. 3, where Pletcher’s team will prepare him for the Breeders’ Cup, most likely without participating in another preparatory race.
Fierceness has now won seven times in 13 starts, bringing his total career earnings to $5,155,320.
