SIERRA LEONE OUTDUELS FIERCENESS TO WIN $7 MILLION LONGINES BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC

Epic Battle Concludes Classic Weekend

In an unforgettable finish to the 2023 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, SIERRA LEONE dug deep and fended off a furious challenge from FIERCENESS to win the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic by a neck Saturday at Keeneland.

SIERRA LEONE’s victory capped a remarkable two days for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who also saddled Malathaat to victory in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Friday.

Breaking from post 10 under jockey Joel Rosario, SIERRA LEONE settled in sixth as 2-1 favorite Life Is Good led the field of 10 through an opening quarter-mile in :24.36 and a half-mile in :47.24.

FIERCENESS, breaking from post 9 under Florent Geroux, sat in third along the rail as the field completed the first six furlongs in 1:11.80.

As the field turned for home, FIERCENESS ranged up outside of Life Is Good, with Flavien Prat aboard, and took a slight lead entering the stretch.

SIERRA LEONE, however, was just getting started, and he surged past FIERCENESS in the final strides to win in a time of 2:02.84.

A Thrilling Finish

The margin of victory was a neck, with FIERCENESS holding on for second by a half-length over Life Is Good.

SIERRA LEONE returned $20.60 to win, $9.20 to place, and $6.60 to show. FIERCENESS paid $6.60 to place and $5.60 to show, while Life Is Good paid $5.80 to show.

The victory was the fifth Breeders’ Cup win for Pletcher, who also won the Classic in 2017 with Good Magic.

“This is just an incredible feeling,” Pletcher said. “This is a horse that we’ve always believed in, and he’s just been getting better and better. To win the Classic is just a dream come true.”

A Star is Born

SIERRA LEONE, a 4-year-old colt by Scat Daddy out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Unbridled Melody, improved his record to 6-2-2 from 12 starts.

The Kentucky-bred colt has now earned more than $7.2 million in his career.

“He’s a very special horse,” Rosario said. “He’s got a lot of heart, and he never gives up. He’s a true champion.”

Quotes

“I’m so proud of this horse,” said winning owner Michael Tabor. “He’s come a long way, and he’s proven himself to be one of the best in the world.”

“He’s a very talented horse,” said losing trainer John Sadler. “He ran his heart out, but SIERRA LEONE was just a little bit better on the day.”

“I’m very happy with his effort,” said Prat. “He ran a great race, but SIERRA LEONE was just too good.”