Three takeaways from 2024 Holy Bull

Feb 06, 2024 James Scully

The Road to the Kentucky Derby series made its first stop at Gulfstream Park this year for the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull (G3) on Feb. 3, a 42-point qualifier (20-10-6-4-2) for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4. The South Florida track will also offer the Fountain of Youth (G2) on March 2 and Florida Derby (G1) on March 30.

Here are three takeaways from the Holy Bull.

Fierceness falters, Hades carries speed to upset

Last seen winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) by 6 1/4 lengths, champion two-year-old male Fierceness was expected to make short work of his six rivals as the 1-5 favorite, but he experienced a wide trip after breaking in a tangle and came up empty by the top of the short stretch, weakening to third under the wire. The Holy Bull proved to be quite the shocker.

Hades, who was making his third career and first two-turn start after winning an optional maiden claimer and a state-bred allowance at Gulfstream in December, broke on top and recorded a surprising frontrunning victory with Paco Lopez. A Florida-bred gelded son of Awesome Slew, Hades established dawdling opening fractions (:25.0 and :50.53) while being closely pursued by a host of challengers, and the Joe Orseno trainee responded when challenged by Fierceness on the far turn.

Fierceness stuck a neck in front leaving the backstretch, but Hades battled back to even terms along the inside nearing the completion of the bend and began to leave Fierceness behind while straightening for home, opening a clear advantage. The odds-on favorite gave way readily, surrendering second by nearly a couple of lengths to 14-1 outsider Domestic Product.

Hades cruised to a two-length decision as the 9-1 third choice but received a dismal 93 Brisnet Speed rating in the slow-paced race. It was easy to label him a sprint/middle-distance type based upon his first two performances and breeding, but unbeaten Hades will try to prove pedigree enthusiasts wrong this spring. He will face a more legitimate pace scenario in future two-turn engagements.

Hades upsets in the Holy Bull (GIII): 1/5 favorite Fierceness finishes third.#KYDerby150 🌹 https://t.co/WxIT0JA8dp

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 4, 2024

Mental fortitude

Fierceness has now come up empty twice at odds-on, finishing a well-beaten seventh in the Champagne (G1) after a troubled break, and trainer Todd Pletcher highlighted his shortcomings afterwards.

'Disappointed in the outcome,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “I think if you watch the replay of the start, it was a pretty rough start, kind of similar to what happened in the Champagne (G1). If he doesn't get away well, he doesn't get into the flow of the race the same way.'

The break wasn’t ideal, but Fierceness got to a favorable up-close spot rounding the first turn and surged to the front entering the far turn. He had every opportunity to prove best in the Holy Bull, but apparently needs everything to go his way to perform respectably.

The ability to overcome adversity is a common trait among Kentucky Derby winners, and Fierceness looks like the type who needs racing experience. His lack of mental fortitude in the Holy Bull raises red flags, especially since Fierceness has only one more prep race scheduled before the first Saturday in May.

Domestic Product flatters Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is clearly the top-ranked Kentucky Derby contender in Chad Brown’s barn, and his nose second to Dornoch in December’s Remsen got a boost when Domestic Product finished second in the Holy Bull.

Domestic Product was no factor when seventh in the Remsen at long odds in his previous outing.

Sierra Leone will return in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds on Feb. 17, and Dornoch is targeting the Fountain of Youth.