Sierra Leone overcame a big field, an off track, and a slow pace to run down longtime leader Track Phantom to win Saturday’s Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds.

As a result, those two runners are tied atop the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. Both have 55 points and are all but assured berths in the Derby, assuming they remain healthy.

On Sunday, Stronghold blew the turn for home but still had enough in the tank to win the Sunland Park Derby by 2 ½ lengths to earn 20 Derby points. He now has 25, which has him tied for fourth.

GRADE 2 RISEN STAR

(Risen Star recap from a Fair Grounds release)

With a slow pace stacked against him, Sierra Leone produced an impressive late rally to run down Track Phantom and win the 52nd running of the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) by a head at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.  Owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, Brooke Smith and Peter Brant, the son of Gun Runner covered the 1 1/18 miles in 1:52.13 over a “sloppy (sealed)” main track. 

Trained by Chad Brown, the dark bay colt made his first appearance with blinkers. Sierra Leone maneuvered through the mix of 11 three-year-old foes in the hands of Tyler Gaffalione.

“I told Tyler to keep him out of trouble,” Brown said. “He had a minor stumble but was able to get him into the race and in the clear off the rail. I told him to stay outside and keep him straight. 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. This proved a lot to me today.”

Track Phantom held second, followed by Catching Freedom, Resilience, and Honor Marie. Sierra Leone paid $7.40 as the lukewarm betting choice as the favorites ran one-two, picking 50 and 25 points, respectively.

Brown said that the plan is for Sierra Leone to make his next start in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland April 6.

GRADE 3 SUNLAND PARK DERBY

The Phil D’Amato-trained Stronghold pressed the pace of Lucky Jeremy through the first half of Sunday’s contest at New Mexico’s Sunland Park, took over on the far turn, and had enough to prevail despite wandering out to the six-path in the lane.

Under Antonio Fresu, Stronghold won for the second time in a five-race career in which he has never been worse than second. Alotaluck took second, while Lucky Jeremy held third. The horses running one-two-three early in this one held the top spots at the end, albeit in slightly jumbled order, as the closers made no impact.

Stronghold, the 6-5 favorite, paid $4.40 to win, in addition to the 20 points he earned. Alotaluck gained 10 points, followed by Lucky Jeremy (6), Curlin’s Kaos (4), and Informed Patriot (2).

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