In the days leading up to the 41st Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar in California, usracing.com is publishing profiles of the horses in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday, Nov. 2. Profiles will be updated following the post-position draw on Monday, Oct. 28.
2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Contender Profile: SIERRA LEONE
The final roll of the dice for year-end honors often comes down to the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and 2024 is no exception.
Sierra Leone. Coady Photo.
While the majority of Classic winners have been 4 years old and up, seven winners of the 40 previous editions of the 1 ¼ mile race have come from the sophomore ranks and this year, those 3-year-olds have been grabbing plenty of headlines.
On the one hand, there’s Fierceness, with three spectacular victories in five starts this year. Sure to attract considerable support is Euro invader City of Troy with three straight Group 1 wins.
Which brings us to Sierra Leone. I dare you to find me a trainer who would turn down a beautifully bred, Grade 1 winning son of Gun Runner who has never been worse than third in eight lifetime starts and has earned $2,368,000 ($68,000 more than his auction price).
Chad Brown certainly isn’t going to give him up, or give up on him. Although he’s been the losing favorite in his past three starts – third in the Travers Stakes (G1), second in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), and third in the Belmont Stakes (G1) – Sierra Leone has never been beaten by more than 1 ¾ lengths, and has collected the most points in graded stakes in his group this year. His most impressive performance to many was his run from 18th in the Kentucky Derby (G1), only to lose by a nose.
To be sure, he hasn’t won at the Classic distance of 1 ¼ miles, he’s coming off a two- month layoff, and he’s going to be running 3,000 miles away from home. Brown, however, has his sights set high for the handsome dark bay colt.
“[I think] if Sierra Leone were to break through and take down a race like the Breeders’ Cup Classic, facing mostly older horses, I think he’d be in serious consideration given his consistency,” he said. “Hopefully he’ll have a bit stronger punch like he did at Keeneland and Churchill Downs and a tighter surface. That’s what I’m looking forward to, and some more pace.”
Betting advice: Closers have not fared well in the Classic (four winners in the past 25 years) and the 300-ish yard stretch at Del Mar is a lot shorter than those at Keeneland, Churchill and the Fair Grounds, where he ran his best. Consistency counts, though, so don’t dismiss, even as win contender.
2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Odds and Post Positions: Sierra Leone
Post Position: 11
Odds: 12-1
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Chad Brown
Owners: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith
Career record: 8-3-2-2
Career earnings: $2,368,000
Last race: Travers Stakes (3rd), Saratoga, Aug. 24
Top Equibase speed figure: 105
Pedigree: Gun Runner-Heavenly Love, by Malibu Moon
Color: Dark bay
Running style: Closer
Notes: Sierra Leone posted his third work at Belmont Park on Oct. 19 after having moved south from Saratoga, breezing a half mile in 49.25 seconds over a fast track … Well-traveled son of Gun Runner will be making his first foray west, having run at Aqueduct, Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Keeneland, and Saratoga … Stakes wins include Blue Grass (G1) and Risen Star (G2).