As the sun dipped low over the iconic Del Mar track, Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez blew a relieved kiss to the grandstand, where cheers were still echoing. It wasn’t just another win — this was redemption, resilience, and raw brilliance rolled into one. Fierceness, Repole Stable’s New York invader trained by Todd Pletcher, overcame a wild, heart-stopping swerve at the start before powering home to an emphatic three-and-a-quarter-length victory in the Grade I Pacific Classic on Saturday.
Velazquez and Fierceness Deliver a Statement
For a fleeting moment, the $1 million showpiece looked lost. Breaking from the gates, Fierceness tried to duck into the temporary rail, leaving Velazquez wrestling for control. But the veteran jockey held his nerve, eased his mount straight, and then rode with icy precision. By the backstretch, the colt had settled perfectly, waiting for his cue.
“I wanted to stay off his mouth and let him find his rhythm,” Velazquez said, smiling after his first Pacific Classic win. “Once he leveled off, he was keen to go on, so I took the gap between horses earlier than planned. He gave me everything today.”
The City of Light-sired four-year-old stopped the clock at 2:01.00 for the mile and a quarter, securing his seventh win in 13 starts and pushing career earnings past $5.15 million. Fierceness returned $5.20 on a $2 win bet as the second choice in a field of seven.
Pacific Classic 2025: Finish Order
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Fierceness (J: John Velazquez / T: Todd Pletcher)
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Journalism (J: Flavien Prat) — 6½ lengths behind
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Ultimate Gamble (J: Juan Hernandez)
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Midnight Mammoth
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Senor Buscador
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Parnelli
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Subsanador
The runner-up, Journalism, went off as the 2/5 favorite and was making his first start against older horses, holding off Ultimate Gamble by a wide margin.
A Ticket to the Breeders’ Cup
The Pacific Classic is a coveted “Win and You’re In” event, guaranteeing Fierceness an automatic berth in the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on November 1. For Pletcher, the performance confirmed what he already knew — this horse thrives under pressure.
Assistant trainer Sophie Green admitted there was a tense moment early:
“It had me worried when he broke that way. He’s had bad breaks before as a two-year-old, and it almost felt like that again. But Johnny kept his cool and put him exactly where we wanted him. Once Fierceness found his stride, we knew he was the one to beat.”
Drama Before the Start
The race day had already endured a shake-up hours before the gates opened when trainer Bob Baffert announced the late scratch of morning-line favorite Nysos due to a bruised heel. While his absence altered the betting landscape, it didn’t dampen the atmosphere on Del Mar’s biggest day of the summer, which featured five graded stakes in total.
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For official race results, fixtures, and upcoming events, visit Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.
