Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Fierceness

Apr 04, 2024 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Repole Stable’s homebred Fierceness has amassed 136 points on the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series following his 100-point victory in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park on March 30. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the colt powered home to an authoritative 13 1/2-length score while completing nine panels on the fast main strip in 1:48.22 under the guidance of John Velazquez.

“It was pretty easy. This is what I expected last time out of him. He had been working lights out. He broke well today, and I just let him have it. I let them come and get him, and he dominated the whole race. When he got to the backstretch and switched to the turn, he picked it up and so I let him do it. He was comfortable,” Velazquez said. “Then at the quarter pole, I gave him a little smooch and he picked it up right away. It was pretty easy. This is why we’re here. This is what we work for, for opportunities like this. It’s exciting.”

Fierceness delivered in yesterday's Florida Derby, picking up 100 #KentuckyDerby points! 🌹

Vance Hanson has a recap of the race! ⤵️ @KentuckyDerby https://t.co/vy6IjdiOI5

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 31, 2024

Catalytic, Grand Mo The First, Conquest Warrior, and Hades rounded out the top five and earned points on a 50-25-15-10 structure, respectively.

Fierceness commenced his career at Saratoga on August 25 and turned heads with an 11 1/4-length romp in a six-furlong maiden special weight event. He checked in seventh as the 1-2 favorite in the subsequent Champagne S. (G1) on October 7, but he made amends for that setback in his final 2023 outing when dominating the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita which clinched championship honors for the youngster. He preceded his Florida Derby victory with a third-place run in the Holy Bull S. (G3) on February 3, and his lifetime line now reads 5-3-0-1, $1,703,850.

The Champion son of City of Light is the first black-type victor produced from the winning Stay Thirsty mare Nonna Bella, who counts herself as a half-sister to 2016 Wood Memorial S. (G2) star and sire Outwork, as well as the multiple-stakes-placed Nonna’s Boy.

Fierceness has looked untouchable on his best days, and to date, he has registered Brisnet Speed figures of 101-77-112-89-106. The 113 Late Pace number that he earned at nine furlongs indicates that Classic distances will be well within his scope going forward. He appears to be the one to beat in the Run for the Roses on May 4.