Sierra Leone captures Breeders’ Cup Classic victory, beating favorite Fierceness
DEL MAR — Sierra Leone’s reputation was as a talented horse that never seemed to win. In his last four races he finished second twice and third twice. All that changed on Saturday when he charged to the front at the top of the stretch and won the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at the Del Mar Turf Club. The 3-year-old colt beat the favored Fierceness, winner of the Travers Stakes, by 1½ lengths. Japanese horse Forever Young was third and Newgate finished fourth. Sierra Leone broke 11th in the 14-horse field and hung around midpack until far turn when he started to make his move. He was third at the mile mark. He engaged with Fierceness entering the stretch but in the end his late speed was too much for the competition. “For him to have this moment and to get over all the frustrations during the year [is unbelievable],” trainer Chad Brown said. [There were] races I went in there thinking I’m finally going to win the Derby or finally win the Travers with this horse but then to walk away and unsaddling him