Sierra Leone faces 10 in Blue Grass at Keeneland

Apr 02, 2024 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Sierra Leone passes Track Phantom in deep stretch to win the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds (Photo by Hodges Photography / Credit to Lou Hodges Jr.)

Until Fierceness' blowout win in last weekend's Florida Derby (G1), Sierra Leone had been widely considered the early Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite since his season-opening victory in the Feb. 17 Risen Star (G2). On Saturday, Sierra Leone will look to get back some of that support in the $1 million Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland.

The Blue Grass is one of three Derby preps on Saturday, and along with the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct and the Santa Anita Derby (G1), offers its respective top finishers Kentucky Derby qualifying points of 100-50-25-15-10.

A deep-closing son of Gun Runner, Sierra Leone might have his work cut out over a track that traditionally doesn't favor that style. But his participation in the Kentucky Derby is not dependent on victory in the Blue Grass, given his score in the Risen Star over the same nine-furlong distance as the Blue Grass. The form of that race was flattered two weeks ago in the Louisiana Derby (G2), when Catching Freedom and Honor Marie finished one-two after losing the Risen Star.

Dornoch, who re-rallied to defeat Sierra Leone in the Remsen (G2) in December, enters the Blue Grass off a wire-to-wire victory in the Fountain of Youth (G2), a race that fell apart due to numerous scratches. A full brother to last year's Kentucky Derby winner Mage, Dornoch enters the Blue Grass on a three-race win streak.

'He will come out of there running and make his way through,' said trainer Danny Gargan after Dornoch drew post position 3, the same slot he broke from in both the Remsen and Fountain of Youth.

Just a Touch figures to attract considerable support in his third career start and first beyond a mile. The Brad Cox-trained son of Justify won impressively by more than four lengths on debut going six furlongs at Fair Grounds, and then finished a credible second when favored in the Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct. Both races were run over sloppy tracks.

Cox also saddles Encino, who defeated Epic Ride by a length in the John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway in early March. The Blue Grass marks the first start on dirt for both colts.

Longer shots in the Blue Grass field include Lecomte (G3) third Lat Long; Jeff Ruby (G3) third Seize the Grey; Tampa Bay Derby (G3) fourth Good Money; and recent maiden winners Be You and Top Conor.

The Blue Grass can be watched and wagered on at TwinSpires.com.

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