Repole: Fierceness Will Be First or Fifth in Travers

An injury to Mindframe  may have changed the complexion of the Travers Stakes (G1).

While trainer Todd Pletcher was hesitant to commit Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) winner Fierceness  to the Aug. 24 Midsummer Derby immediately after the race, an injury that has sidelined stablemate Mindframe appears to have changed that perspective.

Commenting on Fierceness' Travers status following the announcement of Mindframe's injury, owner/breeder Mike Repole declared his strong interest in running Fierceness in the Travers by saying, "Fierceness will be the fastest and most talented horse in the Travers. We will win or finish fifth."

Prior to the Jim Dandy, Repole had said that giving Fierceness ample time between races would hold the key to eliminating his habit of running stellar races followed by disappointing efforts. The homebred son of City of Light   had 12 weeks off between his 15th-place finish as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and his win in the July 27 Jim Dandy at Saratoga Race Course.

The 2023 champion 2-year-old male would be running on four weeks' rest in the 1 1/4-mile Travers. He had five weeks between races when he won the Florida Derby by 13 1/2 lengths and then failed to fire in the May 4 Run for the Roses.

Fierceness, out of the Stay Thirsty   mare Nonna Bella , won the Jim Dandy by a length over Sierra Leone , who lost by a nose in the Kentucky Derby and was third in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

Mindframe, owned by Repole and St. Elias Stables, was second in both the Belmont and Haskell Stakes (G1).