Fair Grounds announced that Champion 3-year-old male Sierra Leone will make his 4-year-old debut in the GII New Orleans Classic on Saturday, marking the 100th running of the prestigious race.
The Chad Brown-trained Rising Star has been installed as the 7-5 morning line favorite in a field of ten that includes GIII Mineshaft Stakes winner Hall of Fame, also sired by Gun Runner.
Sierra Leone was originally targeted for the G1 Saudi Cup in February, but an abscess on his coronet band forced Brown to cancel a key workout and adjust plans. The New Orleans Classic emerged as the ideal comeback spot — a return to the track where he captured the GII Risen Star Stakes last year.
Eclipse Award-winning jockey Flavien Prat retains the mount on Sierra Leone, who draws post position seven for Saturday’s contest.
The dark bay colt has never finished out of the money in eight graded stakes appearances and has amassed over $6 million in earnings for his ownership group of Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook Smith.
Sierra Leone’s championship 3-year-old campaign included victories in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes and a runner-up finish in the GI Kentucky Derby. His crowning achievement came with a victory in the GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar, securing his Eclipse Award as Champion 3-year-old male.
The $2.3-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale topper from 2022 now begins his 4-year-old campaign at the Louisiana oval where he first established himself as a serious Kentucky Derby contender.
