Horse Racing Odds: Fierceness Travers Stakes Winner

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The 2024 Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course delivered an electrifying showdown as Fierceness outlasted the highly regarded filly Thorpedo Anna in the final strides to victory. This win silenced critics who doubted Fierceness’s consistency and marked trainer Todd Pletcher’s 200th grade 1 win, making the event historic in more ways than one and really boosting the horse racing odds.

A Comeback Performance for Fierceness

Fierceness, a son of City of Light, had been known for his inconsistency, often failing to string together back-to-back strong performances. However, Fierceness defied the horse racing odds on this perfect day for racing at Saratoga. 

The betting favorite in the Kentucky Derby, where he disappointed with a 15th-place finish, Fierceness redeemed himself with a narrow win over Thorpedo Anna in the $1.25 million Travers Stakes, also known as the Midsummer Derby.

Trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by Mike Repole, bettors initially overlooked Fierceness, who labeled him as inconsistent, leading to an early 7-1 odds. However, as the race approached, those odds dropped to 7-2, and Fierceness rewarded those who backed him by paying out $9.80. 

Repole expressed satisfaction with the win, calling Fierceness “the best 3-year-old in the country right now.”

Strategic Planning and Stellar Training

The decision to run Fierceness in the Travers after winning the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) on July 27 was carefully considered. Pletcher, who achieved his third Travers win in this race, noted that Fierceness showed no signs of weariness after Jim Dandy, leading to the decision to enter him in the Travers. 

The break from the June 8 Belmont Stakes (G1), which was skipped to allow Fierceness to recover, proved crucial in his preparation for these victories.

Fierceness’s victory solidified his standing in the 3-year-old male division, setting the stage for an anticipated run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 2 at Del Mar. For those engaging in offtrack betting, this triumph positions Fierceness as a formidable contender in upcoming races.

Thorpedo Anna’s Gallant Effort

Fierceness took the victory, but Thorpedo Anna’s performance was spectacular. The daughter of Fast Anna, who had previously secured three consecutive Grade 1 wins, including the Kentucky Oaks, entered the race as the 3-1 second choice.

Despite trailing Fierceness in the final strides, Thorpedo Anna made a strong push, finishing just a head behind. Trainer Ken McPeek praised her effort, acknowledging her status as the best 3-year-old filly of 2024.

Thorpedo Anna’s next challenge is the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1) at Parx Racing on September 21, with plans to follow that with a run in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). Saratoga betting fans will undoubtedly keep a close eye on her as she continues to build her legacy.

Record-Breaking Day at Saratoga

The Travers Stakes was part of a record-breaking day at Saratoga Race Course, with an attendance of 47,844 and an all-sources handle reaching $63,023,405—a 13.4% increase over the previous record in 2022.