Repole opts for stablemate showdown in Alysheba with Fierceness
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Fierceness, the 2-year-old champion of 2023 and the Travers winner in 2024, will make his 2025 debut in the Grade 2, $750,000 Alysheba Stakes on Friday at Churchill Downs, his connections confirmed. Fierceness was being originally being pointed to the Grade 3, $175,000 Westchester Stakes at Aqueduct on May 4.
Todd Pletcher, who trains Fierceness, is also pointing Locked, winner of the Santa Anita Handicap in his last start, to the Alysheba, run at 1 1/16 miles.
“Owner decision, simple as that,” said Pletcher, who trains Fierceness for Mike Repole. “I’d like to keep them separated as long as I can; been pointing to the Westchester for a while. Mike’s keen on running at Churchill Derby week, got a big crowd coming with him. That’s why he’s in the game, to watch his horses run; he’s more excited about watching them run Friday at Churchill than Sunday at Aqueduct.”
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Fierceness, who finished 15th as the favorite in last year’s Kentucky Derby, won the Jim Dandy and Travers – the latter race he beat Thorpedo Anna – at Saratoga before finishing a strong second to Sierra Leone in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Fierceness underwent a minor surgical procedure on a hind ankle following the Classic. He has worked seven times at the Palm Beach Downs training center including a half-mile in 47.40 seconds Friday morning.
Thorpedo Anna works for La Troienne
At Churchill Downs Friday, reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna worked a half-mile in 48.40 seconds over a main track labeled good following overnight rains. Thorpedo Anna is pointing toward the Grade 1, $1 million La Troienne Stakes on next Friday’s card.
“Happy half-mile, nothing complicated,” trainer Kenny McPeek said. “She’s pretty maintenance-free. Just letting her stretch her legs. She’d go around three times if you let her.”
Regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. was up for the move.
The field for the La Troienne was scheduled to be drawn on Saturday.
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