DEL MAR, Calif. — Sierra Leone kicks it into another gear in the final stretch, holding onto the lead to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic with Flavien Prat in the reins.
Sierra Leone started near the back of the pack but slowly worked up the field. Fierceness and Derma Sotogake helped set one of the fastest paces in Breeders’ Cup Classic history, helping patient Sierra Leone make his move at the top of the final stretch to take the lead. Fierceness attempted to challenge the lead, but the unprecedented pace was too much to sustain as he crossed the finish line second behind the winner.
City of Troy, who came into the event as the morning-line favorite, had an unfortunate trip on the dirt, finishing 8th.
“The whole trip set up the way I wanted,” Prat said. “After that, [Sierra Leone] showed his talent.”
Trainer Chad Brown wins his first Breeders’ Cup Classic in four attempts and has 19 total Breeders’ Cup wins, one behind Aidan O’Brien and D. Wayne Lukas for the most all-time at the event.
“I’m so happy for the horse because he’s come up short a few times,” Brown said. “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 paid $15.80, $5.60 and $3.60 while carrying jockey Flavien Prat to his 2nd Breeders’ Cup Classic win in three years.
Fierceness returned $4.40 and $3.20 for place and Forever Young paid $3.60 to show.
Full Breeders’ Cup race results
1. Sierra Leone
2. Fierceness
3. Forever Young
4. Newgate
5. Senor Buscador
6. Tapit Trice
7. Pyrenees
8. City of Troy
9. Highland Falls
10. Ushba Tesoro
11. Mixto
12. Arthur’s Ride
13. Derma Sotogake
14. Next
