Fearless' courage on display in gritty Birdstone victory

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - After nearly three grueling minutes over a very demanding racetrack, Fearless dug down deep to ultimately edge away to a popular and very well deserved three-quarter-length victory over Original Intent in Thursday’s $200,000 Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga.

Defending champion Lone Rock turned in a game effort in defeat, succumbing grudgingly through the final furlong to finish third.

Fearless gave his backers and connections plenty of anxious moments before finally prevailing in the final furlong of the 1 3/4-mile Birdstone.

With regular rider Luis Saez aboard, Fearless raced within easy striking distance of the pacesetting Lone Rock during the opening mile before dropping back a bit further six furlongs from the finish. Saez began asking his mount in the run down the backstretch the second time, continuing to apply the pressure around the final turn without appearing to get much response.

Fearless angled inside the leaders upon entering the stretch, grinding along to finally wear down the top pair, then maintain the advantage while kept to vigorous urging to the wire.

:: Get Saratoga Clocker Reports from Mike Welsch and the Clocker Team. Available every race day.

Original Intent, who was perfect in two previous starts at the distance, was sent up three wide to join the leaders passing the wire the first time, remained out near the middle of the track while continuing to press the issue thereafter, finally edging clear of Lone Rock nearing the wire to be second best.

The latter, with Irad Ortiz aboard for the first time, set a pressured pace, engaged first by Shooger Ray Two and then Original Intent, continuing to hold the lead past the furlong marker before giving way gradually at the end.

Fearless, a four time graded stakes winner for trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Mike Repole, had won the 1 1/2-mile Brooklyn in his previous start. He completed the distance over a fast but dull strip in 2:59.88 and paid $3.90.

“I was concerned first time by the stands, he didn’t seem like he was loving the track, he was off the bridle pretty early for him so I was worried,” Pletcher acknowledged after the race. “He kind of made a little spurt down the back side, he picked up a couple of lengths, I thought we were okay, then he kind of came off the bridle again.

“Luis just stayed with him and stayed with him. It was really a courageous effort considering he wasn’t loving the going out there.”

Pletcher said he had some worries going into the race because of the grueling nature of the racetrack.

“The way the track was playing, it was like running a mile and seven-eighths,” Pletcher said. “You can tell he wasn’t real happy. You got to give him credit, that win was on all heart there.”

Trainer Robertino Diodoro said he was proud of his horse, Lone Rock, in defeat.

“Going a mile and three-quarters, you need a little breather, and he never got one the whole way,” Diodoro said. “Once we got away from the five (Shooger Ray Too) I thought we were gone and the next thing I know, here came the three horse (Original Intent).

“He’s awesome. One of a kind horse for a $40,000 claim. Not disappointed in him. We always want to win but he tried, he just had to do all the dirty work today.”