Fierceness overcomes early trouble to win $1M Pacific Classic at Del Mar

DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) — Fierceness overcame a poor start to win the $1 million Pacific Classic by 3 1/4 lengths at Del Mar on Saturday, beating Preakness and Haskell winner Journalism, who was the 2-5 favorite.

Ridden by John Velazquez, Fierceness ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.00. Trainer by Todd Pletcher, the 4-year-old colt shipped in from New York. He paid $5.20 as the second choice in the wagering.

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Fierceness veered sharply in toward the temporary rail leaving the starting gate.

ā€œI got him out of there, but he overreacted by pulling in the other direction,ā€ Velazquez said. ā€œHe got straightened out going into the first turn. I was able to save ground behind the leaders. On the back stretch, he was keen to go on, that’s why I moved between horses going into the turn.ā€

Journalism was last in the seven-horse field before rallying in the stretch but couldn’t catch the winner.

Ultimate Gamble finished third and Indispensable was fourth.

With the victory, Fierceness earned a berth in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at the seaside track north of San Diego in November. He finished second in the race last year.

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Nysos, the slight morning-line favorite, was scratched hours before the race when Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert noticed minor bruising in a hind foot. Nysos has had health-related issues throughout his career. He missed most of his 3-year-old season because of nagging setbacks. He was coming off a 15-month layoff when he finished second in the Churchill Downs Stakes on May 3.

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AP horse racing: https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing

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