Del Mar and Saratoga prepare to showcase elite talent this weekend as Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher’s star horses compete on opposite coasts.
Pletcher has successfully kept his two marquee older horses separated throughout the summer racing season. That strategy culminates this weekend with Fierceness (City of Light) heading to California for Saturday’s $1 million Pacific Classic (GI) while Mindframe (Constitution) stays in New York for Sunday’s $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI).
Both horses share ownership connections with Mike Repole’s Repole Stable. Fierceness is co-owned by Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier, while Mindframe’s partnership includes Vinnie and Teresa Viola’s St. Elias Stable.
The separation plan aims to keep the stablemates apart until the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) on November 2.
Fierceness faces significant competition at Del Mar, drawing the challenging inside post position. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will guide the 4-year-old against formidable rivals including Nysos (Nyquist), who has won five of six career starts, and Journalism (Curlin), the Preakness winner who finished second in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
“I have a ton of respect for Nysos and a ton of respect for Journalism,” Pletcher said from his Oklahoma Training Track barn Friday morning. “We are taking the worst of it, shipping into their home court and drawing the one (post), but I still believe when Fierceness shows up at his best, he is capable of beating everyone.”
Fierceness, who finished fifth in the Whitney Stakes (GI) last out, enters as the 3-1 third choice behind Nysos (8-5) and Journalism (9-5). The colt finished second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar.
Pletcher’s assistant Sophie Green accompanied Fierceness to California while the trainer remains at Saratoga to saddle Mindframe.
Mindframe enters the Jockey Club Gold Cup as the 2-1 second choice behind 8-5 favorite Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who won the Whitney in his most recent start. The Constitution colt has been remarkably consistent, finishing first or second in all seven career starts with five victories, including a perfect three-for-three record this year.
Saratoga’s leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr., who has partnered with Mindframe in all seven starts, retains the mount on Sunday.
“To me, he is the divisional leader going into this race,” Pletcher said. “Everything can change after Saturday and Sunday but if he continues to win, he holds his spot. He is an exceptional horse. He has run well in every start of his life and has run well from seven furlongs to 1 1/4 miles. He has tactical speed, and he has stamina.”
Mindframe’s resume already includes victories over several top contenders in the division. He defeated Sierra Leone in the Stephen Foster Stakes (GI) at Churchill Downs on June 28, and has previously bested both Nysos and Book ’em Danno (Bucchero) in the Churchill Downs Stakes (GI). Book ’em Danno recently captured the Forego Stakes (GI) at Saratoga.
“If the voting were done today, he would be the champion (older horse) but they don’t vote now,” Pletcher noted. “It seems whatever happens at the end of the year counts more than what happens at the beginning of the year.”
Reid Hoping For a Hopeful Home Run From Flyin Hawaiian
Despite long odds on the morning line, trainer Butch Reid Jr. remains confident in Flyin Hawaiian (Maximus Mischief) heading into Monday’s $300,000 Hopeful Stakes (GI) at Saratoga.
“He is a very talented horse,” Reid said Friday from his Parx Racing base in Pennsylvania. “I will be disappointed if he doesn’t run well.”
The Pennsylvania-bred is owned by Reid in partnership with James Bonner and Glenn Bennett’s LC Racing. The colt earned his name through Bennett’s friendship with former major league baseball player Shane Victorino, who played 12 seasons including eight with the Philadelphia Phillies under the nickname “Flyin Hawaiian.”
“I’ve talked to (Victorino) a few times on the phone. He is really excited about this,” Reid said.
Flyin Hawaiian has been stabled at Saratoga for the past month following an impressive 8 1/2-length maiden victory at Parx on July 21, going 4 1/2 furlongs.
“We started thinking about the Hopeful about 10 minutes after that race,” Reid said.
The colt struggled in his debut over a muddy track at Monmouth on June 22 before rebounding impressively at his home track. Reid’s wife Virginia has overseen the colt’s Saratoga preparations.
Flyin Hawaiian is a full brother to Maximus Meridius, who won six times in 18 career starts with six additional on-the-board finishes.
“He is a lot like him,” Reid said. “I know there are some nice horses in there, but I really think he is going to run good. He is fast. He doesn’t need to be on the lead. He didn’t break that sharp the last time. He is still learning; he is figuring things out. When all is said and done, I think he will be a very nice horse.”
Mystik Dan Targeting Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) has returned to Kentucky after spending much of the summer at Saratoga, with trainer Kenny McPeek eyeing a September start at Churchill Downs.
McPeek indicated the $500,000 Lukas Classic (GII) at 1 1/8 miles on September 27 could be the target, though he will also nominate the colt to the $400,000 Ack Ack (GIII) at a mile on the same day.
The dual nominations stem from McPeek’s consideration of running stablemate Gould’s Gold (Goldencents) — third in last Friday’s Charles Town Classic (GII) — in the Lukas Classic as well.
“We have to decide if we are going to keep them separated or run them against each other,” McPeek said.
Mystik Dan, owned by Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm LLC, tried turf in his most recent start, finishing a creditable fourth in the Arlington Million (GI). McPeek briefly considered returning to grass for the $1 million Mint Millions (GIII) at Kentucky Downs on September 6.
“Our goal is the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile,” McPeek confirmed. “I don’t think there is time (to put him back on the grass). A good horse can run on anything if you need him to.”
Mystik Dan has one win in five starts this year, capturing the Blame Stakes (GIII) at Churchill Downs on May 31 before finishing fourth in the Stephen Foster Stakes (GI) and then switching to turf.
