Pletcher considering Pimlico Special for Fearless

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Fearless, who was second in the Oaklawn Handicap last Saturday, is being considered for a start in the Grade 3, $300,000 Pimlico Special, according to his trainer, Todd Pletcher.

Fearless raced just off the pace in the Grade 2, $1 million Oaklawn Handicap and finished four lengths behind winner Last Samurai. The Oaklawn Handicap was run at 1 1/8 miles, the same distance Fearless won over April 2 in the Grade 3 Ghostzapper at Gulfstream Park. For his effort in the Oaklawn Handicap, Fearless - a son of Ghostzapper - earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96.

“He came back in good order,” Pletcher said. “He was kind of stuck out in the middle of the track on both turns. I thought he ran well. Back in 21 days was my biggest concern and shipping in, maybe he wasn’t at his absolute [best]. He fought it out getting second.”

Fearless dueled for the place, edging third-place finisher Plainsman by a neck. The horses were the co-highweights for the Oaklawn Handicap and each gave four pounds to Last Samurai.

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Earlier this year, Fearless ran second in a pair of graded stakes at Gulfstream won by Speaker’s Corner. After their meeting, Speaker’s Corner won the Grade 1 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct with a Beyer Speed Figure of 114.

Pletcher said Fearless is now settled in at Churchill Downs.

“We’ll take a look at the Pimlico Special,” he said Tuesday.

Fearless is a Grade 2 winner who races for Repole Stable. He is nearing $1 million in earnings with a 6-for-15 record and bankroll of $906,450.