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| Staff Writer |
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Sierra Leone, the winner of the Gr.1 Blue Grass Stakes and one of the top contenders for the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby, arrived at Churchill Downs from Keeneland the previous day and had his first workout around the oval at 7:30 a.m. on 22nd April.
"He's a very intelligent horse, very focused," said trainer Chad Brown. "He went about his business back and forth from the track like he's been here before."
Sierra Leone covered a distance of slightly more than a mile while being ridden by exercise rider Kross Bon during his gallop.
"The horse continues to thrive," Brown said. "He just seems to have all the tools to get that mile and a quarter the right way. It's exciting to go into the Derby with a good chance."
Another horse of Chad Brown's, Domestic Product, who won the Gr.2 Tampa Bay Derby, arrived at Churchill Downs on Monday morning from Payson Park Training Center in Indiantown, Fla. Although he is not receiving as much attention as his fellow stablemate, Brown is optimistic that the horse is improving at the right time and could perform well in the upcoming race on 4th May.
"He's really finding himself right now," Brown said. "He's got to stretch out to the mile and a quarter, but he sure acts like he can. The biggest tell with him is how he's training. He's really stepped it up this last month."
Trainer Kenny McPeek has declared Common Defense out of the Kentucky Derby, who held the first also-eligible spot in 21st place on the leaderboard. As a result, Epic Ride is now next in line followed by Uncle Heavy, Seize the Grey, and Le Dom Bro.
On 25th April, Grand Mo the First trained by Victor Barboza Jr will be arriving at Churchill Downs. As per a report from the Daily Racing Form, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has confirmed that Jose Ortiz will be riding Catalytic, the Gr.1 Florida Derby runner-up, in the Kentucky Derby, replacing Julien Leparoux. On the other hand, trainer Whit Beckman has confirmed that Ben Curtis will be retaining the mount on Honor Marie.