Sierra Leone Triumphs in Breeders' Cup Classic

Sierra Leone claimed a 1 1/2-length victory in the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday at Del Mar, putting an end to a string of recent frustrating losses, including in the Kentucky Derby.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, the 3-year-old colt completed the 1 ¼ -mile race in 2:00.78 and paid $15.80, $5.60, and $3.60 as the 6-1 fourth choice in his first race following a two-month layoff.

Trainer Chad Brown expressed his delight for the horse, stating, "I'm so happy for the horse because he's come up short a few times. I thought he had some excuses, but he's been so consistent and he's such an honest horse, one of the best that I've ever had."

Sierra Leone narrowly lost to Mystik Dan in the Kentucky Derby before finishing third in the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, where he also placed second in the Jim Dandy and third in the Travers.

"He took a tough beat in the Derby, but we did it with class and respect, and we just went back to the drawing board and worked on getting him straight," Brown said. "He's a great horse, he took to this track and it was his day today."

Brown's 19 Cup wins leave him one shy of career-leading trainers Aidan O'Brien, who secured two victories on Friday, and D. Wayne Lukas. This marked Brown's first win in the Classic in his fourth attempt, following in the footsteps of his late Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, who triumphed with Ghostzapper in 2004.

"At moments like this, I always think about him," Brown said.

Fierceness, the 5-2 favorite, returned $4.40 and $3.20, while Forever Young of Japan trailed by another 2 ¾ lengths in third, paying $3.60 to show. Newgate, trained by Bob Baffert, finished fourth in the field of 14.

In other races:

• More Than Looks rallied to defeat the mostly European field by three-quarters of a length in the $2 million Mile, with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard. The 6-1 shot paid $15.80. Cherie Devaux became the seventh woman trainer to win a Cup race. Notable Speech, the 2-1 favorite, finished third.
• Straight No Chaser rallied to win the $2 million Sprint by a half-length. John Velazquez, the 53-year-old Hall of Fame jockey, won his 21st Cup race; trainer Dan Blacker won his first. The 6-1 shot paid $14.20 to win. Straight No Chase ran six furlongs in 1:08.62. Mullikan, the 3-1 favorite, was third.
• Argentina-bred Full Serrano scored a 13-1 upset in the $1 million Dirt Mile. Ridden by Joel Rosario, he ran the distance in 1:35.48 and paid $28.80 to win. Domestic Product, the 3-1 favorite, was third.
• Moira is headed to the sales ring next week after her half-length victory in the Filly & Mare Turf. It was the Canada-bred's third appearance in the Breeders' Cup and first win. She paid $13.60 to win at 5-1 odds. Trainer Kevin Attard earned his first Cup win, too. Cinderella's Dream, the 5-2 favorite, was second.
• Soul of an Angel spotted the field 12 lengths before rallying on the far outside to win the $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint by a half-length. The 19-1 shot paid $41.60 to win. She ran seven furlongs in 1:21.59 under jockey Drayden Van Dyke. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. earned his first Cup victory.
• Starlust scored a huge upset in the $1 million Turf Sprint after a long delay at the start and a claim of foul. Ridden by Rossa Ryan, 30-1 shot Starlust ran five furlongs in 55.92 seconds and paid $69.20. Starlust won by a neck over Motorius. Believing flipped in the gate and dumped jockey Ryan Moore, who walked away unharmed. She was scratched from the race, but appeared unharmed. Jockey Manny Franco aboard Isivunguvungu claimed foul against Ryan and Starlust, but after a stewards' review there was no change to the order of finish.