Fierceness And Mindframe Met Mile Match Still On The Table

With nothing off the table, MGISW Fierceness (City of Light) could face stablemate GISW Mindframe (Constitution) in next month's GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap, according to trainer Todd Pletcher.

Fierceness worked Thursday over Saratoga Race Course's Oklahoma dirt training track in preparation for what is shaping up to be a titanic race during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course.

The champion colt breezed in company with GSP Tuscan Sky (Vino Rosso) through a half-mile in 49.85 seconds, according to NYRA clockers. It marked the pair's second work together in as many weeks after they covered the same distance in 49 flat last week over the Oklahoma.

“He looked great,” Pletcher said of Fierceness. “Another typical breeze from him, doing it very easily and impressively. I'm very pleased with him.”

The winner of last year's GI DraftKings Travers Stakes, Fierceness made a successful seasonal bow in the GII Alysheba Stakes during Derby week and set a new track record.

The Hall of Fame trainer said he is pleased with the way Fierceness emerged from the strong performance.

“He's had a really good energy level, his appetite's been great–he's really matured as a 4-year-old and put on some weight,” Pletcher said.

Pletcher noted Tuscan Sky, also owned by Repole Stable, is likely headed to the GIII Salvator Mile at Monmouth Park June 14.

Mindframe wins the Churchill Downs Stakes | Horsephotos

As for Mindframe, Pletcher is also considering the GI Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill in late June. Owned by Repole Stable with St. Elias Stable, the colt was last seen winning the GI Churchill Downs Stakes May 3 with a deep-closing rally.

“We haven't ruled anything out,” Pletcher said of Mindframe's next start. “We'll give him a breeze tomorrow and see how that goes, assuming the weather cooperates. Obviously, we hate to run him and Fierceness against each other if we can keep from it, but we'll keep our options open for now.”

Pletcher said it was rewarding to see Mindframe notch a Grade I victory.

“That was big,” Pletcher said. “We wanted that Grade I win for him, and for him to do what he's done to win at seven-eighths, a mile, a mile and a sixteenth, be second at a mile and a quarter… he, too, is a very special horse and is very versatile. He's a pleasure to train.”