Sierra Leone Makes First Appearance at Churchill Downs

Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner and leading Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Sierra Leone  made his first trip around the Churchill Downs oval at 7:30 a.m. April 22 after arriving from Keeneland the previous morning.

"He's a very intelligent horse, very focused," said trainer Chad Brown. "He went about his business back and forth from the track like he's been here before."

With exercise rider Kross Bon aboard, Sierra Leone galloped just over a mile.

"The horse continues to thrive," Brown said. "He just seems to have all the tools to get that mile and a quarter the right way. It's exciting to go into the Derby with a good chance."

Brown's other Derby hopeful, Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Domestic Product , arrived early Monday morning from Payson Park Training Center in Indiantown, Fla. Although not getting as much attention as his stablemate, Brown believes he is coming around at the right time and could put in a big run come May 4.

"He's really finding himself right now," Brown said. "He's got to stretch out to the mile and a quarter, but he sure acts like he can. The biggest tell with him is how he's training. He's really stepped it up this last month."

Fierceness and Team Pletcher Arrive at Churchill Downs

While Sierra Leone was growing accustomed to the track, his main betting rival, Fierceness , was settling into his stall. The 2023 champion 2-year-old male left Palm Beach Downs in Delray Beach, Fla., yesterday afternoon and arrived at trainer Todd Pletcher's Churchill Downs barn around 4:30 a.m.

Meanwhile, Pletcher's Kentucky Oaks (G1) hopefuls, Ashland Stakes (G1) winner Leslie's Rose  and Alcibiades Stakes (G1) winner Candied , made their first appearances on the track during the 7:30-7:45 a.m. training period restricted to Derby and Oaks contenders.

Also on the Track Monday Morning

The Brad Cox contingent was out in full force at 7:30 a.m. as Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Catching Freedom , Lexington Stakes (G3) winner Encino , Blue Grass Stakes (G1) runner-up Just a Touch , two-time grade 2 winner and likely Oaks favorite Tarifa , and Busanda Stakes winner Gin Gin  were all out to complete their routine exercises.

"They're all handling things well right now," Cox said. "At this point we're one work away from the Derby so we're looking forward to seeing them train this week and then working all three (of his Derby horses) this weekend."

Other Derby contenders out during that time included UAE Derby (G2) winner Forever Young , Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up Honor Marie , Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) winner Dornoch , and Southwest Stakes (G3) winner Mystik Dan .

Bill Mott sent out champion Just F Y I  at 7:30 a.m. for a published five furlong workout that she completed in :59 4/5. Wood Memorial (G2) winner Resilience  was out at 9 a.m. to complete the same distance in 1:01 3/5.

COLLINS: Mott Duo Breeze For Second Time in Five Days

Churchill Downs' new $200 million paddock was open for schooling for the first time Monday morning. At 10 a.m., Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Endlessly , Mystik Dan, and Fantasy Stakes (G2) winner Thorpedo Anna  were among the first to take in the new sights.

In Other Derby News

• Common Defense , who held the first also-eligible spot in 21st place on the leaderboard, was declared out of the Kentucky Derby by trainer Kenny McPeek. Epic Ride  is now the next in, followed by Uncle Heavy , Seize the Grey , and Le Dom Bro .
• Grand Mo the First  will work April 23 around 8 a.m. at Gulfstream Park for trainer Victor Barboza Jr. If all goes well, he will arrive at Churchill Downs April 25.
• According to a report from the Daily Racing Form, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has confirmed Jose Ortiz will ride Florida Derby (G1) runner-up Catalytic  in the Kentucky Derby, replacing Julien Leparoux. Catalytic arrived at Churchill Downs from South Florida at 7 a.m.
• Trainer Whit Beckman has confirmed that Ben Curtis will retain the mount on Honor Marie.