The $1 million Haskell Stakes (G1) on Saturday (July 20) at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey, is the first major race for 3-year-olds following the Triple Crown. usracing.com is publishing profiles on the contenders.
2024 Haskell Stakes Contenders: FIERCENESS
The assumption going into the Kentucky Derby was that it was Fierceness’ race to lose. His 13½-length runaway in the Florida Derby had many handicappers conceding the Run for the Roses to him. Bad idea.
Fierceness. Coglianese Photo.
Unfortunately, Fierceness is an all-or-nothing horse who has alternated brilliant performances with duds since he romped in his career debut. The pattern continued at Churchill Downs, where the 3-1 favorite plodded home 15th after he “folded between horses entering the lane,” to quote the Equibase chart footnotes.
He skipped the Belmont Stakes and could make his first start since the Derby on Saturday in the Grade 1 Haskell. He’s the 5-2 co-second choice with Belmont hero Dornoch, but there’s a chance that Fierceness won’t run and will await the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes July 27 at Saratoga.
Mike Repole owns 100% of Fierceness and 50% of Mindframe, the 9-5 Haskell favorite. Don’t be surprised if he decides to delay running them against each other. Their trainer, Todd Pletcher, explained the situation Wednesday in an interview with the Thoroughbred Daily News.
“Fierceness already has established his stallion value,” Pletcher said. “He’s a 2-year-old champion and a multiple Grade 1 winner. Mindframe, on the other hand, is on the verge of becoming a major stallion prospect … and a Grade 1 win for him is a big payday in terms of his stallion value.”
Fierceness’ pattern says he’s due for another big performance, and he could easily win the Haskell. But it sounds as if he won’t run.
As of Friday (July 19), Fierceness was still in Saratoga, a five-hour van ride away from Monmouth.
2024 Haskell Stakes Odds and Post Positions: Fierceness
Post position: 5
Odds: 5-2
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Repole Stable
Career record: 6-3-0-1
Career earnings: $1,703,850
Last race: Kentucky Derby, May 4 (15th)
Top Equibase speed figure: 110
Pedigree: City of Light-Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty
Color: Bay
Running style: Front-runner
Notes: Fierceness breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00.47 July 13 at Saratoga. It was the third-fastest of 22 works at the distance … His regular rider, John Velazquez, has won the Haskell twice, on Verrazano in 2013 and on Bluegrass Cat in 2006. Fellow Hall of Famer Pletcher trained both colts … The Haskell is among the few Grade 1 dirt races that has eluded Repole.