Full Brother to Fierceness Makes Big A Debut

Repole Stable's Mentee has big shoes to fill when he steps up to the starting gate for his June 15 debut. Less than a year ago, the son of City of Light  's older full brother was crowned 2023 champion juvenile male after a dominating victory in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). Now the same connections unveil Mentee, who starts as part of a coupled entry with Nudge , favored at 6-5 on the morning line in a five-furlong maiden special weight at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Mentee, to be ridden by John Velazquez, the regular pilot of Fierceness, exits a bullet :47 2/5 half-mile work from the gate June 7 at Saratoga Race Course. The other half of the coupled entry is fellow Repole colorbearer and Todd Pletcher trainee Nudge, a $200,000 son of Uncle Mo   out of the mare Awestruck, a Tapit   half sister to 2020 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Tiz the Law.

A second-generation homebred for Mike Repole, Mentee is the fourth foal out of his dam, Nonna Bella. The Stay Thirsty mare is produced from the grade 1-placed Nonna Mia , and is a half sibling to 2016 Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) winner and WinStar Farm stallion Outwork  .

Fierceness' sophomore campaign has so far been laced with inconsistency. Third in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) to begin the season, he rebounded with an eye-catching 13 1/2-length score in the Florida Derby (G1) before finishing a disappointing 15th in the Kentucky Derby (G1) as the post-time favorite. He is reportedly targeting the July 20 Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park.