Fierceness works for Whitney

Fierceness, second in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, worked five furlongs Friday in 1:01.68 over Saratoga’s main track, starting a length behind workmate Dreamlike and finishing a length in front.

Fierceness, last year’s Travers winner, is pointing to the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on Aug. 2. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.18 and seven furlongs in 1:28.63.

“Very impressive, did it in hand throughout,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “We wanted a good, solid work without overdoing it. That’s what he did. Trying to gear him up for a big effort. [He] seems to be training really well.”

Pletcher said he will “bide his time” before deciding whether Stephen Foster winner Mindframe will also run in the Whitney. Mindframe is scheduled to return to the work tab next weekend.

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