Sierra Leone, a champion 3-year-old male, is set to make his 4-year-old debut in the $500,000 New Orleans Classic Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots after being sidelined by a foot abscess that prevented him from running in the Saudi Cup. Trainer Chad Brown announced that Sierra Leone is ready to run and has been training well, with jockey Flavien Prat set to ride him in the upcoming race.
Sierra Leone, a Gun Runner colt, has been undefeated in nine lifetime starts and has earned over $6 million. His main competition in the New Orleans Classic Stakes includes Mineshaft Stakes winner Hall of Fame, who is also a 4-year-old by Gun Runner. The two colts share nearly identical ownership and were sold at the same auction, but have different racing styles.
The field for the New Orleans Classic Stakes also includes other contenders like Komorebino Omoide and Maycocks Bay, as well as Kinetic and Bishops Bay. The race is expected to be competitive, with Sierra Leone being the favorite to win if all horses run to their best abilities.
