Churchill Downs Stakes Recap & Quotes: The Alysheba

May 02, 2025 Kevin Kerstein

Repole Stable, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smithand Michael Tabor’s Fierceness returned to Churchill Downs in style Friday afternoon by setting a track record in posting a 1 ½-length victory over Most Wanted in the 22nd running of the $750,000 Alysheba (GII) Presented by Sentient Jet for 4-year-olds and up.

Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez, Fierceness completed the mile and a sixteenth over the fast main track in a track record 1:40.06. Successful Dan had established the track record of 1:41.04 in winning this race in 2012.

`The victory is the third in the race for Pletcher and fourth for Velazquez and the third time the two have teamed up to win the Alysheba. Previous victories for the two came with Protonico in 2015 and Limehouse in 2005. Velazquez’s other victory came in 2004 with Congrats.

Most Wanted and This Is Uscar dueled on the front end early with Fierceness third. On the far turn, Fierceness made his move three wide and drew on even terms at the head of the lane. He began to draw clear at the eighth pole and cruised to victory.

Making his first start at Churchill Downs since finishing 15th as the favorite in last year’s Kentucky Derby, Fierceness is a Kentucky-bred son of City of Light out of the Stay Thirsty mare Nonna Bella.

Now a winner of six of 10 starts with five of those wins in graded stakes, Fierceness was making his first start since a runner-up finish in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Del Mar.

Fierceness returned $3.88, $3.36 and $2.44. Most Wanted, ridden by Florent Geroux, returned $5.16 and $3.46 with Hall of Fame finishing another 2 ¾ lengths back in third under Joel Rosarioand returning $3.56 to show.

Locked finished another 2 ½ lengths back in fourth and was followed in order by This Is Uscar and Katonah.

ALYSHEBA QUOTES

John Velazquez (Jockey, Fierceness, winner) – “It was a perfect trip. There was a little bit of speed in there. I wanted them to hop out of there well and he went to the first turn not being too aggressive. When I put him in the clear on the backstretch, he just really got into the bit and kept taking off.”

Todd Pletcher (Trainer, Fierceness, winner) – “He’s a nice horse and he showed it today. But, wow! A track record at Churchill Downs, that’s a really big deal. We’ve got lots of options with him right now but I’d have to think the Met Mile is on the top of the current list.”