Gulfstream Today 1.13.24: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Hero Fierceness Works for Feb. 3 Holy Bull

By David Joseph —-

Gulfstream Today

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Repole Stable’s Fierceness, the favorite to be named champion 2-year-old male of 2023 following his dominant victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), remains on track to make his sophomore debut in the $250,000 Holy Bull (G3) Feb. 3 at Gulfstream Park.

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher gave the homebred son of 2018 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and 2019 Pegasus World Cup (G1) winner City of Light his second work of the new year Saturday at Palm Beach Downs, where he 1:01.17.

“He worked super this morning and everything is going according to plan, so far,” Pletcher said. “We’re targeting the Holy Bull.”

The 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull is the next stakes for 3-year-olds on Gulfstream’s Road to the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) March 30. In between is the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2), also at 1 1/16 miles, March 2.

Pletcher debuted 2022 Juvenile winner and Eclipse champion Forte, co-owned by Repole and St. Elias Stable, in last year’s Fountain of Youth, a victory that preluded his triumph in the Florida Derby. Forte ran five times at 2, also winning the Hopeful (G1) and Breeders’ Futurity (G1).

Fierceness raced three times as a 2-year-old, capturing his unveiling last August at Saratoga prior to a perplexing seventh in the Champagne (G1) before bouncing back with a 6 ¼-length romp at odds of 16-1 in the Nov. 3 Juvenile at Santa Anita.

“Last year, Forte needed a little bit of time after the Breeders’ Cup and in Fierceness’ case he’d had three races, he was fresh, he was doing well. We liked not having to let him down totally,” Pletcher said.

“We like the little bit of space to the Florida Derby, and we like the five weeks from the Florida Derby to Kentucky,” he added. “We’ve still got a long way to go, but so far it’s going according to plan.”

Sunday’s Rainbow 6 Gross Jackpot Pool Guaranteed at $400,000

The 20-cent Rainbow 6 gross jackpot pool will be guaranteed at $400,000 Sunday’s program at Gulfstream Park.

The popular multi-race wager has gone unsolved for 10 consecutive racing days following a mandatory payout Dec. 30.

Sunday’s Rainbow 6 sequence will span Races 5-10, headlined and kicked off in Race 5 by the Sunshine Filly & Mare Turf, a 1 1/16-mile turf stakes for Florida-bred fillies and mares. Multiple graded stakes-placed Sweet Dani Girl, who is slated to make her first start for trainer Christophe Clement since being purchased at the Keeneland November sale, is rated as the 4-5 morning-line favorite. Eddie Plesa-trained Time Passage brings a four-race winning streak into the Sunshine Filly & Mare Turf.

A six-furlong maiden special weight test for 3-year-olds on the main track follows in Race 6. Bedazzle ‘Em is set to make his first start for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott following a runner-up finish at Churchill Downs last time out. Fellow Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher will send out first-time starter Artemus Sound, a son of 2018 Florida Derby (G1) winner Audible/ Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey and Jena Antonucci are represented in the field by first-time starters.

A field of sophomore Florida-bred 3-year-old fillies assembled for a 5 ½ furlongs optional claiming allowance on Tapeta, including Mark Casse-trained Karaya, the 8-5 morning-line favorite who graduated on the all-weather surface last time out. Eddie Plesa Jr.-trained multiple stakes-place Epona’s Hope is slated to make her first start on Tapeta.

Perhaps Tonight, a two-time winner for trainer Martin Drexler last season at Gulfstream, returns from a Woodbine campaign in Race 8, a mile optional claiming starter allowance on turf for fillies and mares. Sal’s Dream Girl is slated to make her first start for trainer Brittany Russell, who has a 27-percent strike rate first off the claim.

Jose D’Angelo-trained Caramel Chip, a seven-time winner in 2023, heads a field of eight in Race 9 as the 7-5 morning-line favorite in a six-furlong optional claiming starter allowance.

A 1 1/16-mile maiden race for $35,000 claimers on turf in Race 10 drew a full field of 12 3-year-olds, including Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Silent and Violent, who makes his first start at Gulfstream in what will be a popular ‘spread’ race.

The Rainbow 6 jackpot is paid out when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 70 percent of that day’s pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners, while 30 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.

Who’s Hot: Jose Ortiz tripled Saturday, scoring an impressive victory aboard Conquest Warrior ($9) in Race 9 after winning with Tatanka ($12) in Race 5 and Chasing After You ($6.60) in Race 7.

Hot-riding Paco Lopez notched two wins Saturday with Abrumar ($23.80) in the Race 8 co-feature and Warda ($10.20) in Race 1.

Hall of Famer John Velazquez followed up a victory aboard impressive debut winner Turn Up the Trees ($3.20) in Race 6 with a rallying score aboard Ivory Moon ($6.40) in Race 11.

About The Stronach Group and 1/ST

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information, please email david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.