Sierra Leone rallies to win Risen Star, big step to Kentucky Derby

Thelook on co-owner Brook Smith’s face said it all.

AsFair Grounds track announcer John G. Dooley called Sierra Leone the winner of Saturday’s Grade 3, $400,000 Risen StarStakes and, with it, 50 points on the road to KentuckyDerby 2024, Smith’s mouth dropped.

“Iguess we’re going to the Derby,” he shouted before simulating chugging out ofthe Risen Star trophy.

Sierra Leone had just surged past pacesetter and LecomteStakes (G3) winner Track Phantom to win the Risen Star by a half-length,completing 1 1/8 miles on a track rated as sloppy in 1:52.13. It was the firststakes victory for the Gun Runner colt after narrowly missing in last fall’sRemsen Stakes (G2). This was just his third career start and his first sincethe Remsen 11 weeks ago.

A STAR HAS RISEN, INDEED! :star:?

SIERRA LEONE closes down the stretch to win the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and earns :five::zero: points on the Road to the @KentuckyDerby! :rose:pic.twitter.com/kto4TRI0Hw

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) February 18, 2024

“Given the track conditions and slow pace and that hehasn’t run since the Remsen, I thought he showed a lot of talent to run down apretty good horse who was in form and fit and didn’t have to ship,” trainerChad Brown said by phone from Florida of Sierra Leone overtaking Track Phantomlate. “I wasn’t sure if he’d reel him in. Not because we’re not good enough,but that was a tall order. This proved a lot to me today.”

Track Phantom cleared from post 11 in the 12-horse race andwas allowed to set reasonable fractions under Joel Rosario. He dispatchedseveral challenges up the backside and on the far turn but could not hold offSierra Leone late.

“He was just second best today,” Rosario said. “He’s a verynice horse and has shown a lot of talent so far. He tried once again today.”

Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer SteveAsmussen, said he was not discouraged by Track Phantom’s performance but thatthe next step is up to Asmussen.

As for Sierra Leone’s next step, it’s back to Brown’s SouthFlorida base at Payson Park to prep for the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keenelandin what will be his final Kentucky Derby prep. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione saidSierra Leone will have no issue with classic distances based on what heexperienced in the Risen Star.

“This horse was ready off the layoff, and the (added)blinkers helped him focus down the lane,” Gaffalione said. “We found a goodspot off the rail in the clear for most of the running of the race, and when Icalled on him, he responded. He galloped out even stronger. More distance willnot be an issue for him.”

Brown said Gaffalione rode to instructions perfectly.

“I told Tyler to keep him out of trouble,” Brown said. “Itold him to stay outside and keep him straight. He caught us off guard whenleaning in in the Remsen, and Tyler had an opportunity to work with him atPayson.”

“We have our ticket to the Derby. Now we just have to getto the show,” Smith said. “A lot can happen between now and then, but we haveour ticket.”

After the win, Sierra Leone shortened to a plus-675 favorite at Circa Sports in Las Vegas to win the Derby. He was cut to 5-1 at Caesars Sportsbook, where he also became the top choice.

Sierra Leone also went to 5-1 with 21 hours left in pool 4 of the pari-mutuel Kentucky Derby Future Wager. All 3-year-olds other than the 39 individual choices were a narrow favorite, also at 5-1.