Horse Racing News: Fierceness Preps for Haskell, Mindframe Eyes Belmont Return

Fierceness Targets Haskell

Saratoga, NY – Fierceness, the reigning champion 2-Year-Old Colt from the Repole Stable, worked a half-mile in 51 seconds flat on Friday over the Oklahoma dirt training track at Saratoga. The Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has the City of Light colt targeting the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational on July 20 at Monmouth Park.

Pletcher also reported that Belmont Stakes runner-up Mindframe is likely to join Fierceness in the Haskell. “I’ll talk to Mike (Repole) but right now we’re pointing Fierceness and Mindframe towards the Haskell,” Pletcher said.

Fierceness’ Journey

Fierceness was dominant in his championship campaign last year, capping it off with a 6 1/4-length victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He returned this year with a third-place finish in the Holy Bull (G3) and a 13 1/2-length romp in the Florida Derby (G1) before a 15th-place effort in the Kentucky Derby.

Mindframe’s Impressive Runs

Mindframe, owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, has been impressive in his first two starts. After breaking his maiden by 13 3/4 lengths at Gulfstream Park, the Constitution colt won the 7 1/2-length on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Most recently, he just missed catching the winner in the Belmont Stakes.

Other Pletcher News

In other Pletcher news, the conditioner won the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park last weekend with Tuscan Sky, who earned a free entry and start in the Haskell. Additionally, Pletcher indicated that Crupi is pointing to the $200,000 Brooklyn Invitational (G2) on July 5 at Belmont as a potential stepping stone to the $1 million Whitney (G1) on August 3 at Saratoga.

Pletcher’s stable star Bright Future returned from a seven-month layoff to capture the Salvator Mile (G3) at Monmouth Park. The 5-year-old Curlin chestnut is likely to face off against stablemate Crupi in the Whitney.

Debut of Carmen’s Candy Jar

Lastly, Repole Stable’s homebred 2-year-old filly Carmen’s Candy Jar makes her debut on Sunday at Belmont Park. The filly is named in honor of the late Carmen M. Barrera, NYRA’s longtime director of horsemen’s relations, who passed away in 2019. Carmen’s Candy Jar is sired by Vino Rosso out of the Uncle Mo mare No Mo Shopping.

🔗 Source