'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light), the likely favorite for next Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby, completed his final breeze for the first leg of the Triple Crown with a half-mile work Friday in :48.80 (43/68).
Working under jockey John Velazquez and in company with fellow 'Rising Star' Agate Road (Quality Road), the Repole Stables homebred and runaway GI Curlin Florida Derby winner worked through fractions of :12.80, :24.80, :36.80 and :48.80 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.60, six furlongs in 1:12.60 and seven-eighths in 1:26.
“I'm very, very happy with the work,” trainer Todd Pletcher said.
Also potentially working towards the Derby, GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Endlessly (Oscar Performance) breezed a half-mile in :47.80 (19/68) with Umberto Rispoli aboard.
“All options are now open,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “I liked his move this morning, very pleased with it. Now, we'll see what's next. I'm going to have a conversation with (owner) Mr. Amerman now and see what we're going to do.”
Ahead of next Friday's GI Kentucky Oaks, trainer Brad Cox sent out both Gin Gin (Hightail) and 'TDN Rising Star' Tarifa (Bernardini) for their final works. The pair breezed together, finishing in :59.60 (5/25) and :59.20 (2/25), respectively.
“I thought the move was very strong,” Cox said. “Tarifa started just behind Gin Gin and they both finished up well together and galloped out strong. A good, solid move. We're looking forward to getting them ready for next Friday.”
Other Oaks workers included: Into Champagne (Into Mischief), who completed five furlongs in 1:00 (11/25) for Ian Wilkes; Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) (five furlongs in :59.40 {3/25}); Where's My Ring (Twirling Candy) (four furlongs in :46.60 {5/68}); and Manama Gold (Star Guitar), who was withdrawn from Oaks consideration by trainer Todd Pletcher following her work.
“She worked OK this morning (half mile in :48.60), but she got real tired at the end of it,” Pletcher said. “She looks like she has the makings of a good filly, but we're going to need some more time to work with her before she's ready to go. We won't be putting her in the Oaks.”
FIERCENESS worked a half-mile in company with AGATE ROAD for HOF trainer Todd Pletcher. #KyDerby150 🌹
⏱️ :48.80@JoeyDaKRacing & @RosieNapravnik take you through his work. pic.twitter.com/c5d2Oix8bj
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 26, 2024
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