Fierceness Easy G1 Pacific Classic Winner

It was a big result for future Coolmore stallions on Saturday when Fierceness won the Grade I Pacific Classic with Journalism a clear second.

Making his first start at Del Mar since finishing second to another future Coolmore stallion in Grade I Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone last November, the 4-year-old was ready to tackle the 1 ¼ miles yet again in this race.

He tucked in behind the leaders early on the rail with most of the horses in a tightly grouped front pack. Down the backstretch, a hole opened in front of him and Fierceness quickly took advantage. In only a few strides, he was in front going into the turn with Journalism also making his way through the pack.

John Velazquez started pushing his mount in the stretch and Fierceness responded, keeping a few lengths ahead of his future studmate. In the end, Fierceness was 3 ¼ lengths the best with the third placed runner nearly 10 lengths behind the winner at the line.

Raced by the Coolmore partners with his breeder Repole Stable, the Todd Pletcher-trained Fierceness was named Eclipse Champion 2-Year-Old Colt in 2023 after winning the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He went on to win both the Grade I Florida Derby and Grade I Travers Stakes at three with seven wins in 13 starts with three other top three finishes overall for $5,155,320 in earnings.

Also the winner of this year’s Grade II Alysheba Stakes, City of Light son Fierceness is one of three winners from three to race out of Nonna Bella, who also produced Grade III winner Mentee. A two-time winner who was fourth in a Grade II, Nonna Bella is a half-sister to Grade I winner Outwork and multiple stakes placed Nonna’s Boy.

This race was a Win and You’re In event for the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Classic with Fierceness pointing toward that race for his next start.