Sierra Leone Rallies Powerfully to Win Blue Grass

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Sierra Leone Rallies Powerfully to Win Blue Grass
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Photo: Mathea Kelley
Sierra Leone wins the April 6 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland

Sierra Leone  didn't want to go in the starting gate and was ninth early in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1), but he left no doubt after launching a five-wide rally on the far turn and running down all his competition in the lane April 6 at Keeneland.

Rider Tyler Gaffalione was very impressed by the Chad Brown trainee's performance.


"He's just got so much power, so much natural ability," Gaffalione said. "He just keeps finding more. He's incredible."

Flanagan Racing's Top Connor, also trained by Brown, provided a great setup for his stretch-running stablemate, setting fractions of :23.15, :46.48, and 1:10.83. Qatar Racing and Resolute Racing's Just a Touch  sat second behind the pacesetter and grabbed the lead mid-stretch before settling for second.

Sierra Leone spun into the stretch wide and gradually bore in as he passed horses. Gaffalione had to do a fair amount of steering, but his momentum was undeniable.

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Welch Racing's Epic Ride  finished third. Final time for 1 1/8 miles over the fast dirt track was 1:50.08.

Sierra Leone, a Gun Runner   colt owned by Peter M. Brant, Rocket Ship Racing, Westerberg, Derrick Smith, Michael B. Tabor and Susan Magnier, raced in the Coolmore partnership's familiar navy silks Saturday. He heads to the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) as the potential favorite.

This story will be updated.