Derby favorite Fierceness returns a winner in Jim Dandy

Jul 27, 2024 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Fierceness, 15th as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby (G1) when last seen on the first Saturday in May, partially eased the disappointment of that finish on Saturday with a strong comeback win over Derby runner-up Sierra Leone in the $500,000 Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga.

The beneficiary of ideal trips when recording blowout wins in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) last fall and in the Florida Derby (G1) in March, Fierceness again had favorable circumstances on his side Saturday. Much more than he had at Churchill Downs, when he hopped at the start and then rated close to a hot pace before retreating.

Breaking alertly outside five rivals in the Jim Dandy under John Velazquez, Fierceness raced in closest attendance to longshot pacesetter Pony Express for the opening half-mile, and then took over from that rival around the far turn. Opening up a lead turning for home, Fierceness maintained a comfortable advantage while racing well off the inside.

Sierra Leone, the Risen Star (G2) and Blue Grass (G1) winner who finished third as the Belmont (G1) favorite after missing in the Derby by a nose, turned in his customary rally from the back. Diving towards the rail in upper stretch to take his shot at Fierceness, the 4-5 favorite closed well but fell a length short at the wire.

Fierceness wins the G2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga!!! 💪🏆@RepoleStable @ljlmvel pic.twitter.com/AwIEejgSBi

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) July 27, 2024

Ohio Derby (G3) winner Batten Down finished 5 3/4 lengths behind Sierra Leone in third and was followed by Preakness (G1) winner Seize the Grey, Gould's Gold, and Pony Express.

A homebred racing for Mike Repole and trained by Todd Pletcher, Fierceness returned $5.60 after completing 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in 1:49.15.

'He kind of got the trip we were hoping for,' Pletcher said. 'We knew what our strategy was, the thing is you don't know what everyone is else is going to do. It looked like there were a couple of other horses with potential speed, so we had to break, get to the first turn in good position and get in a good rhythm, and that is what we were able to do.'

Trainer Chad Brown was pleased with the performance turned in by Sierra Leone, who is likely to reappear in the Aug. 24 Travers (G1) over 1 1/4 miles. Pletcher, however, was non-committal about bringing back Fierceness in four weeks for the rubber match. The Travers is also expected to attract division leader Dornoch, winner of the Haskell (G1), Belmont, and Fountain of Youth (G2).

'We kind of talked about this horse seems to do better with a little bit of extra time in between races, so we won't make any decisions right away, but just play it by ear,' said Pletcher regarding the Travers.

Fierceness, the champion juvenile colt of 2023, has earned close to $2 million after winning four of his first seven starts. The Kentucky-bred is by City of Light and out of Nonna Bella, a daughter of 2011 Jim Dandy and Travers winner Stay Thirsty.