Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Sierra Leone returned to the work tab Jan. 6 at Payson Park Training Center in Indiantown, Fla., with an easy three furlongs in :37 4/5 as he begins preparations for the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Feb. 22.
"He went nice and smooth," trainer Chad Brown reported Monday morning. "He galloped out with a lot of energy and cooled out quick. We're right back on track again and it looks like our first goal is to try and make the Saudi Cup."
The 1 1/8-mile, one-turn test is a little under seven weeks away. Knowing there is no room for error to make the world's richest horse race, Brown plans a weekly work schedule to prepare the son of Gun Runner for his first start since winning the $7 million Classic at Del Mar Nov. 2.
Luckily for Brown, Sierra Leone maintained his fitness and health during his month-long freshening at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky., immediately following the Classic.
"Even though we gave him a little bit of freshening, he didn't seem to lose any fitness at all," Brown said. "He's settled back into his job well. I was very pleased with his work, actually pleasantly surprised on how fit the horse is. He did that just galloping around there. I was pretty impressed."
In addition to his Classic victory, Sierra Leone won the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and Risen Star Stakes (G2) during his 3-year-old campaign and placed in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), Travers Stakes (G1), and Jim Dandy Stakes (G2). He is a leading contender for Eclipse Award honors as champion 3-Year-Old Male for owners Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook Smith.
