August 31, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Fierce Four
An early swerve toward the inside rail made things interesting for Fierceness in Saturday’s $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar, but ultimately had no bearing on the end result.
The multiple Grade 1 champion added a fourth to his overflowing trophy case with ease, beating 2-5 closing line choice Journalism to the wire by 3 ¼ lengths.
Fierceness’ second win of the season (Grade 2 Alysheba on May 2) avenged a tough fifth as the 6-5 favorite in last month’s Whitney at Saratoga.
Back on track and over the $5 million lifetime earnings mark, Fierceness paid $5.20.
Off to the Races
Two starts into her rookie season and Tommy Jo is already a Grade 1 winner.
The dynamic 2-year-old filly, after waltzing to a 3 ¾-length victory in her professional debut, one upped herself on Saturday at Saratoga, claiming the $300,000 Spinaway (G1) by a whopping 6 ½ lengths.
Leaving from post five, Tommy Jo exercised great patience under rider Kendrick Carmouche before finding a lane and kicking it into gear for the decisive score.
Still perfect to begin her career, Tommy Jo’s brilliant breakthrough effort as the even-money choice paid $4 even.
Build the Statue
Gold Phoenix’s (IRE) case to have the Del Mar Handicap (G2) renamed in his honor reached irrefutable levels Saturday, as the 7-year-old gelding fought valiantly to win the $300,000 tilt for the fourth consecutive year.
Sent off as the 2-1 choice, Gold Phoenix let the race develop rather than forcing the issue and the strategy paid dividends, leaving the Phil D’Amato trainee with enough to outduel 6-1 rival Stay Hot by a neck.
In keeping the remarkable streak alive, Gold Phoenix also booked a ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) – a race in which he has finished fourth twice and 10th.
Now standing at 9-3-5 across 27 career starts, Gold Phoenix paid $6.20.
Home Away from Home
After 11 starts around the United Kingdom, Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB) got his first taste of American competition in Saturday’s $3.5 million Nashville Deby (G3T) at Kentucky Downs.
The near 6,000-kilometre trip proved well worth it, as the 3-year-old colt finished on the right side of a head’s difference as the 2-1 favorite.
Competing on Kentucky Downs’ European-style course – a turf surface that is not oval-shaped – eased the transition for Wimbledon Hawkeye, who was able to end a seven-race winless drought in dramatic fashion.
As the latest member of the millionaires club (nearly $1.5 million lifetime), Wimbledon Hawkeye paid $6.54.
Collecting Trophies
They wrote Antiquarian off, but he didn’t write back.
Sent off at 13-1 in Sunday afternoon’s $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), the 4-year-old colt showed no fear against some of the sport’s elite, including even-money choice Sierra Leone, who he motored past for the impressive 1 ½-length victory.
It was no doubt a career-defining moment for the Todd Pletcher charge, who had entered the 1 ¼-mile contest with the Peter Pan (G3) serving as his lone stakes triumph.
With the stunning showing at Saratoga now in the books, Antiquarian, who sports a 9: 4-3-0 line, paid a cool $28.