Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner and Kentucky Derby (G1) frontrunner Sierra Leone made its first circumnavigation Churchill Downs oval at 7.30am on April 22 after arriving from Keeneland the morning before.
“He’s a very smart horse, very focused,” said trainer Chad Brown. “He walked up and down the track like he had been here before.
“The horse continues to thrive. He seems to have all the tools to go that quarter-mile the right way. It’s exciting to go into the Derby with a good chance.”
Sierra Leone will be joined this week at Brown’s barn by winner Tampa Bay Derby (G2) Domestic products who is training at Payson Park Training Center in Indiantown, Fla. Despite not receiving as much attention as his stablemate, Brown believes he will arrive at the right time and could hit it big come May 4.
“He’s really finding himself right now,” Brown said. “He has to try his best for a mile and a half, but he certainly acts like he can. The most notable thing with him is the way he trains. He’s really improved in the last month .”
Fierce and the Pletchers arrive at Churchill Downs
While Sierra Leone is slowly getting used to the track, his main competitor severity settled into his booth. The 2023 Champion 2-Year-Old Male left Palm Beach Downs in Del Ray Beach, Fla., yesterday afternoon and arrived at trainer Todd Pletcher’s Churchill Downs barn around 4:30 a.m.
Meanwhile, Pletcher’s hopeful is the Kentucky Oaks (G1), winner of the Ashland Stakes (G1). Leslie’s Rose and Alcibiades Stakes (G1) winner Candy makes its first appearance on the track during practice from 7:30-7:45 a.m., for Derby and Oaks competitors only.
Also on the track Monday morning
Brad Cox is out in full force at 7:30 a.m. as the winner of the Louisiana Derby (G2). Seize freedom Lexington Stakes (G3) Winner Encino Blue Grass Stakes runner-up (G1) Just one touch two-time Grade 2 winner and perhaps the Oaks favourite Tarifa and Busanda Stakes winner gin are all ready to complete their routine exercises.
Other Derby contenders during that period included Derby winner UAE (G2) Youth forever Runner-up Louisiana Derby (G2) Honor Marie Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) Winner Dornoch and Southwest Stakes (G3) winner Mystik Dan .
Bill Mott sent the champion Just letting you know at 7:30 a.m. for a published 5-minute workout that she completed at: 59 4/5. Wood Memorial (G2) Winner resilience went out at 9am to complete the same distance in 1:01 3/5.
COLLINS: Mott Duo Breeze for the second time in five days
Churchill Downs’ new $200 million driving range opened to school for the first time Monday morning. At 10 a.m., Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) was the winner endless Mystik Dan and Fantasy Stakes Winner (G2) Thorpedo Anna Be one of the first to get new attractions.
The rider’s decision
According to a report from Daily Racing Form, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Confirmed that Jose Ortiz will finish second in the Florida Derby (G1) Catalysis in the Kentucky Derby, replacing Julien Leparoux.
Trainer Whit Beckman has confirmed that Ben Curtis will retain his mount on Honor Marie.
