Horse Racing Odds: Fierceness to Miss PWC

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Horse Racing Odds and News

Fierceness to Miss Pegasus and Middle East Campaigns

Fierceness, the reigning 2-year-old male champion of 2023 and a top contender for 3-year-old honors in 2024 will not compete in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park or any Middle East races this winter. 

Trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed that Fierceness underwent an elective procedure on a hind ankle after a complete physical evaluation during his turnout period in Kentucky. This proactive step ensures the colt is primed for a robust 2025 campaign. Fierceness is expected back in Pletcher’s barn by February.

This plan shift aligns with the connections’ focus on a targeted approach for the upcoming season. Owner Mike Repole outlined the colt’s ambitious goals, which include the Metropolitan Handicap in June, the Whitney in August, and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November. He’s set to be a horse racing odds favorite. 

These major races, two of which occur at Saratoga, will be key moments in Fierceness’s quest for continued dominance and possibly another divisional title.

Saratoga and Beyond: A Legacy in the Making

Fierceness showcased his brilliance throughout 2024, securing wins in the Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Both races saw him outclass rivals such as Sierra Leone and the top 3-year-old filly, Thorpedo Anna. 

His Saratoga betting performance left no doubt about his caliber as one of the year’s top 3-year-olds. Earlier in the season, he shattered records in the Florida Derby, winning by an unprecedented 13 1/2 lengths. However, a disappointing 15th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby highlighted the ups and downs of his campaign.

Following a well-timed break that excluded the Belmont Stakes, Fierceness returned with two wins in three starts, culminating in a bold runner-up finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar. He pressed a hot pace in that race and finished 1 1/2 lengths behind Sierra Leone, his main competition for year-end honors.

Mindframe Prepares for Potential Dubai Trip

As offtrack betting fans look ahead, Repole and Pletcher are also planning a big year for Mindframe, another standout from their operation. The Belmont Stakes and Haskell runner-up is set to resume training at Palm Beach Downs shortly. A potential trip to Dubai for the Dubai World Cup in April is under consideration, with a U.S. prep race likely preceding any international travel.

With odds for the 2025 season taking shape, Fierceness and Mindframe remain prominent figures in discussions about the sport’s elite runners.