There will be a busy weekend ahead of action on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, with three key preps taking place across the U.S. However, the most intriguing could come at Gulfstream Park, as Breeders’ Cup Juvenile hero Fierceness makes his return to action in the Holy Bull Stakes.
The current favorite for the Kentucky Derby will take on seven rivals, but can the Todd Pletcher runner further his Triple Crown credentials?
Race History & Records
The Holy Bull Stakes is a Grade 3 affair, and it has been staged annually since 1990. It was previously known as the Preview Stakes, before it was renamed in honor of the Hall of Fame horse in 1996. Holy Bull was a legendary horse in the U.S., landing the Florida Derby in 1994.
This race has produced some memorable Classic winners throughout history, including Derby victor Go For Gin in 1994. Barbaro was also a famous winner of the Holy Bull Stakes, with the famous horse later landing victory in the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby in 2006.
Holy Bull Stakes Leading Contenders
Fierceness
Todd Pletcher’s Juvenile superstar makes his long-awaited return to action at Gulfstream Park this weekend. Fierceness was sensational at the Breeders’ Cup in early November, thumping a star-studded field by over six lengths.
That win sees him boast a clear advantage in terms of ratings over this field, but only two winners of the Juvenile have later landed victory in the Kentucky Derby. The three-year-old has won two from three career starts, with his only defeat coming in the G1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont at the Big A in October.
Things didn’t go to plan that day, and he finished way behind Timberlake, who he would eventually get the better of at Santa Anita in November. Fierceness sets the standard, and he is certainly the runner that the field needs to beat this weekend.
Otello
Otello is a runner of Christophe Clement this weekend, with Luis Saez taking the ride. The three-year-old is unbeaten in two career starts, but he still have plenty to find on official ratings.
He was a winner on debut in late November, securing victory at Aqueduct. However, the key form line in his favor this weekend is the Mucho Macho Man Stakes.
Otello was the commanding winner in that race, with re-appearing rivals Sea Streak, No More Time, and Inveigled all finishing behind him on that day at Gulfstream Park. But, further improvement is required on Saturday.
Domestic Product
Domestic Product appears to be an interesting outsider for Chad Brown this weekend, as the trainer chases a first victory in the race. The three-year-old was underwhelming on his previous start, but conditions really didn’t suit him on that day at Aqueduct, as he could only finish seventh in the G2 Remsen Stakes.
He is down in grade this weekend, and he will also be running over 1 1/16 miles for the first time. Domestic Product has already won over further after scoring in a maiden special weight at Belmont at the Big A over 1 1/8 miles in commanding style. If the race becomes a stamina test, he could be very challenging to overlook.
Holy Bull Stakes Prediction
This weekend’s race is all about the return of Fierceness, and it is very hard to overlook his clear claims of victory. Domestic Product could be primed to complete the exacta, as he boasts a stamina advantage over many of these unproven contenders.
Win: Fierceness (Bet at BetUS)
Exact: Fierceness/Domestic Product
