Sierra Leone showcased his peak form on Saturday by winning the $7 million Grade I Breeders Cup Classic at Del Mar, defeating a talented international field. The Kentucky-bred son of Gun Runner rallied from behind in a fast-paced race, taking the lead at midstretch and finishing 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Fierceness, the Florida Derby and Travers Stakes winner. Japanese entry Forever Young secured third place, while Newgate and Senor Buscador finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Notably, City of Troy, the Epsom Derby winner from Ireland, had a disappointing debut on dirt, finishing eighth.
Earlier in the year, Sierra Leone won the Grade I Blue Grass Stakes but faced difficulties in the Triple Crown races. After finishing second in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Belmont Stakes, trainer Chad Brown expressed that the Classic victory made up for the previous frustrations. The outcome left the American 3-year-old championship open, possibly favoring Thorpedo Anna, who demonstrated dominance in the $2 million Longines Distaff.
In other results, Rebels Romance narrowly won the $5 million Longines Turf, Moira achieved her first Grade I victory in the $2 million Makers Mark Filly Mare Turf, and the $1 million PNC Bank Filly Mare Sprint saw a surprising win from Soul of an Angel.
