Brown eyes Sierra Leone for Jim Dandy

As much as trainer Chad Brown left the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival with a few wins as a freshman, there was a case of classic disappointment.

One week after the 156th Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga RacetrackBrown declared beaten 8-5 favorite Sierra Leone was doing well after finishing third on a surface ill-suited to his late kick.

“He didn’t run much until the quarter pole and that made running the track difficult,” Brown said on June 15. “I didn’t have a good feeling on the track all weekend. He did his best. I might and I just hope that when the summer competition starts (at Saratoga) they will even out the track so it wasn’t as fast and it was fair for everyone. It was heartbreaking to have a closer at Belmont and watch the inside speed all weekend.”

Sierra Leone was 10th after a mile in the 1 1/4-mile Belmont, then rallied four wide on the turn and was 8 or 9 paths wide in the upper stretch before closing to take third place, 1 1/ 2 lengths behind the winner. Dornoch .

Although fitted with a new bit to control his drifting habit – which played a key role in settling for second place by a nose in the Kentucky Derby (G1) – Sierra Leone moved in during the latter part of the Belmont, but Brown did it. I don’t see that as a main part of the loss.

“He leaned over, but I didn’t think it was that bad,” Brown said. “I think it was exaggerated by Mental framework (the finalist) comes out in the final straight. »

Brown said he plans to direct the son of Arms Runner in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) on July 27 at Spa in preparation for the Travers Stakes (G1) on August 24, which promises to be the main summer showdown for the 3-year-old male division.

Bred by Debby Oxley and purchased for $2.3 million at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, Sierra Leone is owned by Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg and Rocket Ship Racing.

Before the June 8 Belmont, Brown had two wins as a freshman in Randomized And Flag of Chile during the four days of the Festival.

Randomized avenged its second place at Idiomatic in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), as she held off a late bid from the champion mare and notched a lead victory over prize winner Eclipse in the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1 ) from June 8 for fillies and older mares.

“It was a great effort,” Brown said of the 4-year-old daughter of Klaravich Stables. Nyquist . “She loves Saratoga and I’m going to keep her there and show her the Personal Ensign (G1, Aug. 23 at Saratoga).”

Randomized has won in three stakes at Spa, including last year’s Alabama Stakes (G1).

Chili Flag won his third consecutive stakes, and his first year, by winning the June 7 Just a Game Stakes (G1T) at one mile on turf.

Brown will likely extend it to 1 1/8 miles for the Diana Stakes (G1T) on July 13 during the opening weekend at Saratoga.

Chile Flag, daughter of Urban landscape is owned by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb and Michael Kisber.

Brown also collected two impressive wins thanks to talented freshman-ranked runners.

Klaravich breeding Means and methods prevailed in a June 6 allowance race by 8 1/4 lengths. The 3 year old child Prank call the filly was previously seen finishing fourth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

“She got back on track. It was great. I’ll point her to the (Test Stakes (G1), Aug. 3 at Saratoga), but I don’t know if I’ll race her before then.”

Ways and Means finished second in last year’s Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Spa, covering the same seven-furlong distance as the test.

that of Klaravich General partner made an impressive debut as a 3-year-old, winning an allowance race on June 8 by five lengths.

THE Speightstown This colt finished second in last year’s Champagne Stakes (G1).

Brown said he is considering sponsorship in the July 6 Dwyer Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racecourse.

“I might try it again in the Dwyer Stakes,” Brown said. “It’s a little fast for the amount (speed) he’s run, but I think he’s got a good foundation.”

Dornoch is well; A Society Man at the West Virginia Derby

After the biggest victory of his career, trainer Danny Gargan said Saturday that Dornoch had bounced back in good spirits from his victory in the $2 million Belmont, but was still considering options for his next start.

Gargan said he is considering the trifecta of competing in the Haskell Stakes (G1) July 20 at Monmouth Parkthe Jim Dandy, or training up to the Travers for the son of Good magic .

Gargan had more specific plans for the 3-year-old Society man who put the weekend on the moon for the trainer by winning the $400,000 Matt Winn Stakes (G3) on June 9 at Churchill Downs.

He said the gelding will go to the West Virginia Derby (G3) on Aug. 4 at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Complex.