Fierceness, in the calm and capable hands of Todd Pletcher, unlocked his box of secrets on the track in Saratoga’s talent-packed Jim Dandy Stakes and strode to victory not just over deep closer Sierra Leone, who placed, and over Juddmonte’s Batten Down, who showed, the winner also rode to victory over his demons. Exactly as predicted by the Saratoga morning line, D. Wayne Lukas’ Seize the Grey ran fourth, just behind Batten Down.
Bluntly put, whatever horse whispering that trainer Pletcher did over the eleven week layoff since Fierceness’ disastrous Kentucky Derby 15th-place run worked. The winner was a completely different horse than the one we saw on May 4, unruffled, hard-working and above all, tactically and athletically focused. He simply strode out wanting to bring his best, and he did. Pletcher has taught a master class in taking time with a horse.
Which is not to imply that Pletcher or his athlete have had or will have the easiest time of it, but it does mean that if Fierceness bounces out of today’s triumph and evens out over the next weeks, a Travers appearance will be most welcome.
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