City of Light's Fearless Soldier Strong at Second Asking

5th-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 3-12, 3yo, 7 1/2fT, 1:29.34, fm, 2 1/2 lengths.
FEARLESS SOLDIER (c, 3, City of Light–Hessie's Girl, by Giant's Causeway) had something of a rough debut Feb. 16 when he tossed his head at the jump and hopped coming out of the stall. Racing all over the synthetic track from there, as far as seven wide in the stretch before lugging in through the final furlong, he finished a very green fourth but producing a field-best Beyer Speed Figure of 74. Cutting back from that 1m70 contest and flopped onto the turf course, the 5-2 second choice broke considerably better but ended up steadied nearing the first bend, settling to track from fifth. Edging closer from three wide around the far turn, he tipped out farther for the homeward drive and closed under left-hand urging to draw clear of long-time leader and 57-1 shocker Checkitup (Curlin), who was a first-time gelding.

Fearless Solider commanded a princely sum of $700,000 at KEESEP from the titan partnership that is Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable. They would later bring Gainesway Stable into the fold before the Triple Crown-nominated colt's first start. Dam Hessie's Girl's 2021 colt by Liam's Map died last year but she did have a 2022 colt by Game Winner. A young half-sister to GISW Bullsbay (Tiznow); GSW Our Khrysty (Newfoundland)–herself claiming GISW Grace Adler (Curlin) and GSP Virginia Key (Distorted Humor) to her broodmare tally; GSP Vegas No Show (Hard Spun); and SW Hidden Expression (Yonaguska), dam of SW Mask (Tapit), Hessie's Girl is due to Charlatan for 2023. This is the extended female family of GISW Grecian Flight. Sales history: $700,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $45,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Repole Stable, St. Elias Stable and Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck); B-Farfellow Farms Ltd. (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.