Correll’s Derby Top Ten: Sierra Leone moves in, Nash moves out

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview —-

TRINITY, Fla. – Sierra Leone made up for a nose loss in the Remsen at Aqueduct back in December with a powerful performance in the Risen Star on Feb. 17 at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

The son of Gun Runner used the same late move as he did in the Remsen, but this time he made it stick when he ran down longtime leader Track Phantom to win by a half-length. Catching Freedom was third, a little more than a length behind Track Phantom. The race was run over a sloppy track with a final time of 1:52.13 for the mile-and-an-eighth distance.

This is the second time that Sierra Leone has gone that distance and trainer Chad Brown said his Derby prep race would be the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in April.

Brown said he was proud of the colt, “Given the track conditions and slow pace and that he hasn’t run since the Remsen, I thought he showed a lot to run down a pretty good horse who was in form and fit and didn’t have to ship. I wasn’t sure if he’d reel him in – not because we’re not good enough – but that was a tall order. So this proved a lot to me today.”

Joel Rosario who was aboard Track Phantom said, “He ran a great race but ended up just being second best. He tries hard every time and keeps getting better. He did everything right, but just too bad he got beat. I think he ran well on the (sloppy sealed) surface.”

The top three colts probably will continue on the Kentucky Derby trail and the Risen Star awarded 50-25-15-10-5 points for the top five finishers.

The Sunland Derby was run on Feb. 18 at Sunland Park in New Mexico and California invader Stronghold (Ghostzapper) easily won for trainer Phil D’Amato. Nysos beat Stronghold by more than eight lengths in the Bob Hope back in November, so I don’t what that says about this colt’s ability.

Nysos (sire: Nyquist) was dominate in the Lewis and his Triple Crown race will be the Preakness. He is trained by Bob Baffert.

Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) received a 98 Equibase speed figure in winning the Risen Star.

Track Phantom (Quality Road) was second in the Risen Star and got a 98 speed figure. He is trained by Steve Asmussen and he may stay at Fair Grounds for the Louisiana Derby.

Catching Freedom (Constitution) was third in the Risen Star, but he wasn’t catching the top two. He is trained by Brad Cox.

Dornach (Good Magic) won the Remsen on Dec. 2 at Aqueduct and trainer Danny Gargan is pointing the colt to the Fountain of Youth on March 2 at Gulfstream Park.

Muth (Good Magic) was second in the Juvenile and won the San Vicente on Jan. 7 at Santa Anita in Southern California. He is trained by Baffert.

Fierceness (City of Light) was third in the Holy Bull.

Timberlake (Into Mischief) was fourth in the Juvenile and looks to return in the Rebel on Feb. 24 at Oaklawn Park. Cox is the trainer.

Locked (Gun Runner) was third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and trainer Todd Pletcher is looking at the Fountain of Youth for his next start.

Speak Easy (Constitution) broke his maiden at first asking on Jan. 27 at Gulfstream. He earned a 92 Beyer and he is a WinStar homebred.