The Monkey’s Off His Back: Sierra Leone Puts It All Together In the Classic

[Wandering Eyes]

As maligned as any member of the current crop of 3-year-old males, 'TDN Rising Star' SIERRA LEONE (c, 3, Gun Runner–Heavenly Love, by Malibu Moon) took advantage of a lightning-fast pace up ahead of him, picked off rivals one by one on the final turn and outgamed fellow 'Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) to take Saturday's GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. A fast midweek blowout from 2023 Classic runner-up Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) dictated that the chestnut would at least be part of the pace, but he was actually fastest of the fast, making the running from Arthur's Ride (Tapit) and Mixto (Good Magic) as Fierceness and GI Kentucky Derby third Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) raced right on top of the tempo, the former out wide and the latter enjoying a rail-skimming run. Derma Sotogake was by the half-mile in a suicidal :44.96, and already passing the 3 1/2-furlong marker, Flavien Prat had Sierra Leone in full gear and he ran by his inside rivals as if they were standing still. Fierceness inherited the lead when Derma Sotogake called it a day approaching the stretch and set sail for home, but Sierra Leone was able to sustain his long run and got to the wire first. Forever Young was ridden along nearing the lane, but did not pick up as well as needed and was along late to touch Newgate (Into Mischief) out of third. City of Troy (Justify) was slowly away and was always in the second half of the field and never made any impact, finishing in about eighth position. Sierra Leone was following in the hoofprints of his sire, who won the 2017 Classic in front-running fashion in 2017. Sales history: $2,300,000 Ylg '22 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 9-4-3-2. O-Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B., Smith, Derrick, Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing, LLC and Brant, Peter M.; B-Debby M Oxley (KY); T-Chad Brown.

 

SIERRA LEONE STRIKES GOLD IN THE @BREEDERSCUP CLASSIC! #BC24 pic.twitter.com/RRoFL3p6Io

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 2, 2024

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