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The reigning Travers Stakes champion, Fierceness, is set to compete in the prestigious Grade One Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Race Course this Saturday (August 2). This race is a highlight of the Saratoga summer racing season, offering an automatic bid to the Breeders' Cup in November for the winner. Fierceness will face a formidable lineup, including former Whitney winner White Abarrio, Sierra Leone, Highland Farm, and Skippylongstocking, among others.
Sierra Leone, the reigning champion three-year-old colt, recently completed a workout at Saratoga, impressing trainer Chad Brown. Brown expressed satisfaction with Sierra Leone's preparation, stating, "He's bounced out of the Stephen Foster race in good order, and he was moving great through the lane."
The Whitney Stakes, a $1 million race, is one of Saratoga's marquee events. According to NYRA, the event celebrates the legacy of the Whitney family, influential figures in American horse racing. The race attracts top older horses and is accompanied by a day of pageantry and elite racing.
Highland Falls, another contender, also completed his final workout under the guidance of trainer Brad Cox. Cox noted, "He looked very happy and it was a good work. He's a good enough work horse on his own."
The field for the Whitney Stakes is set, promising an exciting showdown. The race will commence at 5:41 p.m. ET on Saturday, with fans eagerly anticipating which horse will secure a spot in the Breeders' Cup.