Champions past present and future seized the day in the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1), with Fierceness reaffirming his 2023 credentials by holding off top-rated filly Thorpedo Anna by a head in a thrilling finish Saturday to the marquee race of the summer.
Fierceness. NYRA Photo.
Champion Fierceness back in the winner’s circle after Travers score
The stretch run was fantastic, with Jim Dandy (G2) winner Fierceness taking what looked to be a comfortable lead only to barely hang on as fan favorite Thorpedo Anna made up ground with every stride before coming up a head bob short.
Favorite Sierra Leone was third, another 1 ¾ lengths back. Winning time for the 1 ¼ miles was 2:01.79.
Trained by Kenny McPeek, Thorpedo Anna was bidding to become the first filly to win the Travers since Lady Rotha in 1915. Even in defeat, the filly showed her brilliance against the boys after dominating 3-year-old females in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), Acorn (G1), and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1).
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Champion Fierceness Triumphs in Thrilling Travers Stakes
Fierceness ($9.80 on a $2 win bet), meanwhile, put an end to an in-and-out career with a second straight victory for the first time. Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez, Fierceness was all out in winning a third Grade 1 — the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the Florida Derby are the others. After each of those wins, he threw in clunkers, including third in the Holy Bull (G3) and 15th as the Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite. He won his career debut by 11 ¼ lengths one year ago, then ran seventh in the Champagne (G1) prior to the BC Juvenile.
“That was incredible,” Petcher said after winning the Travers for the third time. “He sat patiently, made a big move, and held off a tremendous filly.”
McPeek said: “We just got nosed out. Fierceness ran a fantastic race. Todd and his team did a great job. It was a good horse race there.”
The race unfolded with 29-1 Batten Down setting the pace through three-quarters of a mile, with Belmont Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1) winner Dornoch following suit. On the turn, with the two battling for the lead, it was Fierceness who rolled past them on the outside. Then the fight to the finish was on as Thorpedo Anna put in a gallant run.
“We’ve had a lot of fun with her, and she’s been great,’’ McPeek said, adding. “Everything really went to plan other than one horse in her way. She’s so special, and we’re just really proud of her.”
Sierra Leone Stumbles Again as Fierceness and Thorpedo Anna Set Breeders’ Cup Goals
For Sierra Leone, it was another tough loss. Runner-up in the Derby, third in the Belmont, and second in the Jim Dandy, the Chad Brown-trained colt was bumped a few times early and came up with only a mild closing bid.
Dornoch was fourth, followed by Batten Down, Corporate Power, Unmatched Wisdom, and Honor Marie.
Pletcher said Fierceness would train up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 2. McPeek said Thorpedo Anna would return to racing against fillies with the goal being the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
Fierceness, owned by Mike Repole, improved to 8-5-0-0 and boosted his earnings to $2,666,350.
“This has been something that hasn’t made sense – the odd and even [results],’’ Repole said. “He had to put two together eventually and this is the one. He did what we thought he could do, and he ran a great race. The filly ran great – I begged McPeek to keep her with fillies.”
Brian Hernandez, Jr., who was aboard Thorpedo Anna, though this filly could catch Fierceness.
“As we turned for home I was like, ‘Oh, good, we’re still going to be able to run him down,’ ’’ he said. “But Fierceness dug back in, and he was just able to get the job done today.”