Sierra Leone shot past nemesis Fierceness as he turned for home to win the $7 million Classic on Saturday and highlight Day 2 of the 41st Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club just outside San Diego.
The card Saturday featured nine Grade 1 races for 3-year-old and older horses. The 14-race Championships — with five juvenile events on Friday — offered $30 million.
Sierra Leone, a 3-year-old colt who finished second or third in his previous four races, was ridden into the victory in the Classic by Flavien Prat and is trained by Chad C. Brown for owners Peter M. Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith Westerberg and Brook T. Smith.
“For him to have this moment and to get over all the frustrations during the year
(is unbelievable),” Brown said. “This is an unbelievable horse. Anyone could have trained him and he would have had a fine career because he’s just an outstanding-looking horse. He’s well-bred, and he makes your job easy.”
He broke 11th in the 14-horse race in the Classic field and moved up to third in the homestretch before winning by 1 1/2 lengths with a time of 2:00.78. He was the 6-1 fourth choice.
It was Sierra Leone’s first win since he captured the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland in Kentucky in April.
“He’s had some excuses, but he’s been so consistent and he’s such an honest horse, one of the best I’ve ever had,” Brown said. “It was his day today.”
Fierceness, the race favorite at 5-2, held on for second place while Forever Young of Japan was third. The expected threat from Irish-based turf standout City of Troy never materialized as he finished eighth.
“When I rode Sierra Leone (before), we never had pace; he comes from behind, so he never had a chance,” Prat said. “Today, the pace was good, and he was able to show his talent.”
In the co-featured race, Rebel’s Romance of Ireland had just enough to win the $5 million Turf, run at 1 1/2 miles. Rebel’s Romance held off 22-1 longshot Rousham Park by a long neck.
In the $2 million Distaff, Thorpedo Anna took charge from the start and was never challenged, winning by 2 1/2 lengths.
In the other six Championship races on Saturday:
–Straight No Chaser, ridden by John Velasquez, held off Bentornato to win the $2 million Sprint.
–More Than Looks broke 10th but chased down the rest of the field to capture the $2 Million Mile. Johannes finished second.
—Starlust, a 30-1 longshot, beat Motorious of Great Britain by a neck to capture the $1 million Turf Sprint.
–Soul Of An Angel rallied from last to win the $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint by half a length. The 19-1 longshot, ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, held off Society, who finished second.
–Prat guided Moira to the winner’s circle at the $2 million Filly & Mare Turf, outlasting Great Britain’s Cinderella’s Dream, who finished second.
–Full Serrano of Argentina took charge late to win the $1 Million Dirt Mile, beating Post Time by 1 1/2 lengths.
The 42nd Breeders’ Cup will return to Del Mar next year.
–Field Level Media
