Fierceness scores early knockout in Florida Derby

Mar 30, 2024 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Going into Saturday's $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, reigning champion juvenile colt Fierceness needed to produce an effort akin to his dominating win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) last fall to assuage concerns generated by his dull effort in the Holy Bull (G3) in early February.

Boy, did Fierceness deliver.

Rushed to the lead from his outside draw by jockey John Velazquez, Fierceness proceeded to dictate matters on his terms and in the end walloped his eight rivals. His winning margin was a Florida Derby record 13 1/2 lengths, eclipsing Empire Maker's 9 3/4-length margin of victory in 2003.

It could have been higher, but Fierceness was geared down through the stretch by Velazquez, undoubtedly saving something in the tank for the Kentucky Derby (G1), for which Fierceness might start as the favorite after such a dominating effort.

In addition to Fierceness' record margin, trainer Todd Pletcher added to his record number of Florida Derby wins by taking the 1 1/8-mile feature for the eighth time. Velazquez, already the winningest rider in race history, captured it for a sixth time.

Racing for owner-breeder Mike Repole, Fierceness paid $4.20 after covering one lap of the fast Gulfstream oval in 1:48.22.

Finishing a clear second was Catalytic, with Grand Mo the First edging Conquest Warrior for third. Hades, who pulled off a wire-to-wire upset of Fierceness in the Holy Bull, made little impact while suffering the first loss of his career.

Fierceness earned an additional 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, boosting his total to 136. Catalytic earned 50 points, while Grand Mo the First boosted his total from 15 to 40. Conquest Warrior earned 15 points, likely not enough to make into the Kentucky Derby field, while Hades' total went from 20 to 30.

Fierceness has blown hot and cold during his five-race career. After breaking his maiden by more than 11 lengths at Saratoga, he turned in a poor effort when a distant seventh in the Champagne (G1). He rebounded with a emphatic 6 1/4-length romp in the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita, but came out flat-footed in the Feb. 3 Holy Bull and weakened to third after battling with Hades much of the way.

Bred in Kentucky, Fierceness is by City of Light and out of Nonna Bella, a Stay Thirsty half-sister to Wood Memorial (G1) winner Outwork.