Sierra Leone Idling Until Stephen Foster

The Chad Brown-trained reigning champion 3-year-old male Sierra Leone was on the work tab May 11 over the Belmont Park dirt training track. The now 4-year-old Gun Runner dark bay covered a half-mile in :50, according to New York Racing Association clockers. Brown said Sierra Leone is targeting the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs June 28, which awards a "Win and You're In" berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1)—a race Sierra Leone won to cap his sophomore campaign—through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. "He is doing fine. He is idling for a little while and is probably not going to run until the Stephen Foster in late June," said Brown. "Today was a solo (breeze), just maintenance to stretch his legs. I might pick it up with him next week and do something a little more serious." The work was his third at Belmont since arriving from Payson Park Training Center in Florida toward the end of April. Sierra Leone's last outing was a third in his seasonal debut in the New Orleans Classic (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots March 22. He boasts career earnings of $6,058,000 and a 4-3-3 record from 10 starts for owners Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook T. Smith.