Belmont Stakes 2024: Sierra Leone’s Bold Jockey Swap Might Help Win Third Jewel of Triple Crown

The Belmont Stakes are here to stay, with a flourish and a bang. The 156th iteration will commence rather ceremoniously at the Saratoga Race Course. A three-year-old Sierra Leone secured his place in the 150th Kentucky Derby by earning a 2nd place in the qualifying race. Sierra Leone made its way ahead of Forever Young, a Japan-bred horse and a nose behind Mystik Dan.

However, Sierra Leone was caught in the controversy with the racing commission involving its jockey, Tyler Gaffalione, which resulted in a hefty fine. This time in June, welcoming the third jewel of the Triple Crown, Sierra Leone has been experiencing a new type of bit. Moreover, it will help a jockey to have more control over the ride. What is in the works is a plausible jockey change for Sierra Leone. What has led to this ominous last minute change?

A surprising move in horse racing history may turn the tide in Sierra Leone’s repertoire

The Kentucky Derby Racing Commission announced a fine for Jockey Tyler Gaffalione, as he repeatedly made contact with Forever Young and jockey Ryusei Sakai during the race, which was captured live. Gaffalione made contact with his rival using his left hand, which resulted in him with a fine of $2500 for the infraction. Gaffalione is required to pay the hefty fine and rode Tuscan Gold. Does this mean that for the upcoming of the third jewel of Triple Crown, Tyler Gaffalione will no longer be in the saddle maneuvering Sierra Leone?

At The Third of the Triple Crown on June 8th at Saratoga, California, Sierra Leone is aiming for the $2 million Belmont. He has been practicing a five furlong run with Domestic Product at the Saratoga Race Course’s Oklahoma dirt training track. Regarding the performance, Sierra Leone’s trainer, Chad Brown, said, “It was good. It was just what I wanted – a steady five eight and let them gallop out.” Brown is pleased with Sierra’s performance and thrilled with his progress and he is sure to strike gold come June 8th.

Regarding the decision to replace the rider, Brown chimed in saying that-“Tyler, from where he was, worked out a very good trip [in the Derby],”. He  continued by bemoaning that-“I’m moving forward with the change [to Prat] and we’ll see how it goes.”

Does Sierra Leone really deserve the cheater tag?

The 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs was an interesting race, marked by the victory of Mystik Dan and a tough competition between Sierra Leone and Forever Young for the second place. Despite Sierra Leone taking second place, doubts and questions arose about their victory. Gaffalione and Sierra Leone disappointed fans by seemingly cheating their way to second place. Many believed Forever Young was the rightful winner of the victory, who was robbed because of the flagrant by Gaffalione.

Some fans appeared disappointed that the inquiry didn’t occur before the publication. Even after the Kentucky Derby, the commission didn’t delve deeper to examine the battle between Sierra Leone and Forever Young. “After Conducting their standard review of the race, determining no further review or investigation was necessary to conclude there was no incidents that altered the finish of the race and seeing there was no objection field, the stewards posted the Kentucky Derby official,” said KHRC.

During the live broadcast, no one made any mention of the incident, so the stewards followed the same procedure for the 150th Kentucky Derby. After the race, Gaffalione said, “I had a hard time keeping him straight, and that definitely cost us. He gives you everything, very responsive, but he loses concentration.” He found Sierra Leone difficult to control as the horse was attempting to lean on the opponent Forever Young, but does that make him a cheater? For the uninitiated, probably.

Sierra Leone bumped into Forever Young three times, but Jockey Ryusei Sakai didn’t claim foul even once. The racing manager of Forever Young, Hiroshi Ando said, “Claims of foul do not happen much in Japan.” Forever Young’s trainer, Yoshito Yahagi, said, “It is the stewards call, not us.” Although, the charge for Gaffalione’s foul action may be but a minor setback for him. Now everyone is looking forward to seeing whether this decisive move will lead Sierra Leone to victory at The Third of the Triple Crown.