Belmont 2024: Brown changes strategy with Sierra Leone

Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

When Chad Brown was growing up in nearby Mechanicville and his parents took him to Saratoga each summer, he began to dream of accomplishing big things in the sport. Winning the Belmont Stakes at his home track was never among them.

No one ever envisioned that the final leg of the Triple Crown would be moved to Saratoga for two years to allow for the uninterrupted construction of a new $455 million Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. But that is exactly what happened, and Brown, 45, is in a prime position with Sierra Leone to achieve what would be an emotional victory for him and a popular victory among local fans.

Brown can hardly believe the fortuitous turn of events.

“No one ever thought it was possible to aim for a Belmont Stakes in your hometown, but here we are. For a couple of years we are going to be here,” Brown said after Monday’s post-position draw.

Sierra Leone, who missed nailing Mystik Dan by an agonizing nose in the Kentucky Derby, was listed as the 9-5 favorite to avenge that defeat after he was assigned post nine in a field of 10.

Brown has not won the Belmont in three previous tries, finishing fourth with Street Life in 2012, sixth with Twisted Tom in 2017 and second with Gronkowski in 2018. He is doing everything possible to capitalize on the rare opportunity at hand.

He shipped Sierra Leone to Saratoga as soon as the youngster recovered from the Derby so he was in position to give him three good works here at weekly intervals. The regally bred son of Gun Runner, out of the Grade 1-winning Malibu Moon mare Heavenly Love, began that series of drills by going four furlongs in 48.20 seconds May 18. That was followed by a five-furlong move in 1:02.64 and then four furlongs in 49.32 seconds June 1.

“I never had any consideration of the Preakness after we lost the Derby in a heartbreaker,” Brown said. “We’ve been working toward this race, and the horse has been super cooperative as he has from Day 1 as far as working and training exactly how I want and what I want. He’s a real professional that way.”

In an effort to make the most of his best shot at a Belmont, he replaced Tyler Gaffalione with Flavien Prat while outfitting his prized colt with a different bit. Sierra Leone failed to keep a straight course in losing by a nose in his only two defeats, in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes in December and the Derby.

Brown admitted he thought long and hard before shifting to Prat to ride his deep closer.

“It was a tough call because Tyler had done a good job with this horse. He’s got two wins and a nose defeat in the Derby,” the trainer said. “He made a lot of good decisions in the Derby as far as navigating that trip from 18th place early. But the last three-eighths of that race, it didn’t quite go as well as I thought it could have.”

Although Churchill Downs stewards did not call for an inquiry immediately after the Derby, they later fined Gaffalione $2,500 for touching Japan-based standout Forever Young with his left hand during a furious three-horse race to the wire. Forever Young finished a nose behind Sierra Leone.

“Hopefully, Flavien will get along with this horse and be able to work a good trip out,” Brown said.

As for the new bit designed to improve maneuverability, early signs are encouraging, with the sophomore accepting it better than when it was attempted in January.

Sierra Leone always has looked the part of a special horse. He sold for $2.3 million at Fasig-Tipton’s Saratoga select yearling sale. Although he won the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland and the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, he can be exasperating.

“Has he lost some focus in his two losses and cost himself? Yeah, he should be undefeated if he finished off his races straight and cleanly. But that hasn’t been the case,” Brown said. “But I really believe in the horse. He’s super talented and if he is able to work out a trip here, he is the horse to beat.”

In a scenario he never could have imagined, local fan favorite Brown would not trade places with anyone.