Fearless wins WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile (G2) in 2021 debut

Fearless returned from an eight-month layoff to register a game victory in Saturday’s $200,000 Gulfstream Park Mile S. (G2), the first graded stakes win for the 5-year-old owned by WinStar Farm LLC and CHC INC. 

Away from the races since last year’s Stephen Foster S. (G2), the Todd Pletcher trainee was away in good order and allowed to settle under Irad Ortiz, Jr. Making his move for the lead with about three furlongs to go, Fearless took command at the top of the stretch and dug in gamely to hold off Avant Garde by three-quarters of a length.

The final time for the mile on the fast track was 1:35.61.

“It’s very nice,” said WinStar president/CEO and racing manager Elliott Walden of the victory, “but I’m happy for the horse. He’s a really neat horse. He’s very talented. It was a great job by Destin Heath (WinStar’s farm trainer) and our team at WinStar to get him ready after a long time off, and then Todd does what Todd does. They come out running for him and (Fearless) ran a super race.” 

Saturday’s win upped Fearless’ record to 4-1-0 in seven starts and earnings to $246,280.