WinStar Farm LLC and CHC Inc.'s Fearless made a triumphant return to Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., on Saturday to collect his first stakes success in the $200,000 WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile (G2).
The Gulfstream Park Mile, a one-turn mile event for older horses, was one of nine stakes worth more than $1.4 million on a 14-race program headlined by the $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2), a key prep for the $750,000 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) presented by Hill n' Dale Farm at Xalapa March 27.
Fearless ($7.60), who launched his career with back-to-back victories during the 2019-2020 Championship Meet, was making his first start since finishing sixth in the Stephen Foster (G2) at Churchill Downs June 20.
“Our biggest concern was that in his last couple starts he dropped back. We were hoping that being fresh that he'd put himself into the race a little bit,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He broke well and got in a good stalking position. He was forward from there and kicked on and ran like we hoped he would.”The 5-year-old gelded son of Ghostzapper rated well for Irad Ortiz Jr. several lengths behind pacesetter Wind of Change, who opened up several lengths on the field while speeding the first quarter of a mile in 23.60 seconds. Wind of Change continued to show the way on the far turn and completed the first half-mile in 46.50 before shortening stride as Fearless and his other rivals started to close in. Fearless went to the lead at the top of the stretch and continued on gamely to hold off Avant Garde by three-quarters of a length.
“I got a perfect trip. He broke and put me into the race. After that, I didn't want to hurry him. I waited and when I asked him he responded,” Ortiz said.
Avant Garde, who was ridden by Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, finished two lengths ahead of 9-10 favorite Performer and jockey Jose Ortiz.
After winning his first two races at Gulfstream, Fearless hit the road to finish sixth in the New Orleans (G2) at Fair Grounds, before finishing second in an Oaklawn Park optional claiming allowance and a victory in an optional claiming allowance at Churchill Downs. He was never a factor while racing very wide in the Foster.
“Todd does what Todd does, and they come out running. He ran a super race,” said WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden. “We were pretty confident, seeing him breeze the last few times.”
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