Fierceness turned Del Mar’s Pacific Classic into a statement on August 30, 2025, surging past the favorite and stamping his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Breaking from the rail and narrowly avoiding disaster, correcting course at the last second to avoid a collision with the rail, the 4 year old City of Light colt settled, tipped out on the far turn, and powered home with a decisive stretch run that brought the seaside grandstand to its feet.

The matchup everyone came to see materialized in the lane, Fierceness versus Journalism. After tracking a steady tempo, John Velazquez asked his mount for more and got an emphatic response, opening up late while Journalism fought on bravely but could not match the winner's kick.

At the wire, the margin was clear and authoritative, just over three lengths, with the clock stopping in a sharp 2:01.00 for the mile and a quarter on fast dirt. The kind of performance that could be indicative of bigger things to come for the four year old colt.

For trainer Todd Pletcher, the Pacific Classic added another marquee Grade 1 to a deep résumé, while Velazquez delivered yet again on a big race stage. Connections praised the colt's professionalism, handling the inside draw, adapting to the flow, and finishing with intent when it mattered most.

The Pacific Classic is part of the Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" series, and this victory secured Fierceness an automatic, fees paid berth to the Classic. More importantly, it vaulted him toward the top of the division pecking order heading into the championship season, alongside summer standouts from Saratoga.

Del Mar's signature race has crowned plenty of headliners, California Chrome, Beholder, Flightline, and on this late August afternoon, Fierceness authored his own chapter. The effort checked every box, tactical poise, stamina over a mile, and the kind of late punch that will serve him well when he gets back on the track against even stiffer competition later this year.

Next stop, November. With the berth secured and the form to match, Fierceness leaves California with momentum, and potentially a target on his back, for racing's biggest stage.