Pletcher backing Fierceness to topple Troy in Classic clash

is relishing the opportunity to take on with his star colt in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on Saturday.

While Aidan O’Brien’s Derby, Eclipse and Juddmonte International hero will be tackling dirt for the first time in California, Fierceness is well proven on the surface, having landed the Florida Derby and the Travers Stakes since his brilliant display in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile 12 months ago.

Pletcher, who won the Classic with Vino Rosso in 2019, insists he has “tremendous respect” for City Of Troy, who is of course a son of the American Triple Crown hero Justify – but he also has plenty of belief in his own horse ahead of Saturday’s showpiece.

“I don’t see the track as being an issue. He likes Santa Anita, which isn’t dissimilar, and I feel the main task we have is to work out a good trip for him,” the trainer said on Monday.

“This is a talented group of horses but he’s travelled well and settled into his surroundings as I hoped he would.

“He’s a very straightforward horse to work with, he’s very laid back, and while he can occasionally get fired up in the paddock, aside from that he’s always been easy to deal with.

“We have tremendous respect for City Of Troy as well as for Aidan’s high regard for the horse. But we know full well that this will be a different kind of race than he has ever run in, even taking into account that he’s by Justify.”

The only disappointing run of Fierceness’ season to date came in the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, the same day as City Of Troy suffered the only defeat of his career in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Reflecting on his Kentucky Derby effort, Pletcher added: “He didn’t jump well and he was wide most of the way. Nothing went according to plan.”