The champion 3-year-old of 2024 finished second at Saratoga after a troubled trip and will have his final start at Del Mar
Sierra Leone targets the Classic double / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA
SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- Champion 3-year-old of 2024 Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) once again showed why he remains among the very best of his generation, rallying strongly to finish second in Sunday’s GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga despite a trip that all but eliminated his chances from the break.
With Flavien Prat aboard, the Peter Brant, Coolmore and partners runner left the gate last, forced to alter course immediately to avoid the fallen Irad Ortiz Jr., unseated from Mindframe (Constitution) in an incident that involved several horses. Sierra Leone found himself more than 18 lengths off the pace, racing wide throughout, but unleashed his trademark late kick in the stretch to get within 1 1/2 lengths of winner Antiquarian (Preservationist).
Trainer Chad Brown was relieved and encouraged by what he saw.“Fortunately, Irad came out without any serious injuries and our horses are fine,” Brown said. “Sierra Leone was very wide on the turn and had a very complicated trip, but I’m very proud of how he persevered, stayed in the race and ran a tremendous effort. This was his final prep for the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, and now we’re looking forward to a couple of quiet, healthy months into Del Mar.”
The Classic, set for Nov. 2 at Del Mar, will mark Sierra Leone’s career finale before beginning stallion duties at Ashford Stud. From 13 starts, he has compiled five wins, five seconds and three thirds, with earnings of more than $7 million.
Winner of the GI Blue Grass S. at Keeneland, Sierra Leone finished second in the GI Kentucky Derby, third in the GI Belmont S., and consistently placed at the highest level, highlighted by his crowning achievement in last year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, where he defeated Fierceness (City of Light) and Japan’s Forever Young (Real Steel) to secure his Eclipse Award title.
“He’s an ultra-consistent horse who shows up every single time,” Brown summed up. “We’re hopeful he’ll go out the same way he’s always run.”