Sierra Leone ranks as 9-5 favorite in 2024 Belmont Stakes
Sierra Leone training for the Kentucky Derby (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
June 3rd, 2024
Sierra Leone has been installed as the 9-5 favorite over Kentucky Derby (G1) hero Mystik Dan and Preakness (G1) victor Seize the Grey in Saturday's Belmont (G1).
The third jewel of the Triple Crown is staged over 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga this year, since Belmont Park is being redeveloped.
Trained by Chad Brown, Sierra Leone missed by a nose to Mystik Dan in the Derby. The deep closer, who previously won the Blue Grass (G1) and Risen Star (G2), has been freshened ahead of the Belmont. He also gets a rider switch to Flavien Prat.
Mystik Dan came right back to place second in the Preakness to Seize the Grey. Aside from Sierra Leone, three other Derby veterans return in the Belmont: sixth-placer Resilience, eighth Honor Marie, and 10th Dornoch.
Todd Pletcher has three of the four new shooters, including unbeaten Mindframe making his stakes debut and Peter Pan (G3) scorer Antiquarian.
