Those in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. for Whitney Stakes (G1) weekend were treated to a third consecutive beautiful morning Aug. 3, but it seemed as though the sun shone a little brighter on Chad Brown's barn following the thrilling victory of Sierra Leone in the $1 million race Aug. 2.
READ: Sierra Leone Rallies From Last to Capture Whitney
Although no stranger to success on the major stage, the five-time Eclipse Award winner from nearby Mechanicville, N.Y., was reflective Sunday morning as he finally checked a Whitney win off his bucket list.
"I grew up going to a lot of Whitneys as a young man and saw some really famous horses run in the Whitney through the years," Brown said. "It's one of the most prestigious races at this meet and has so much history. To finally win it with my mom and dad here—my brother, my two daughters, my nephew—really just having my family there made it all the more special."
After spending time with his daughters the night of the race, Brown returned to the barn Sunday morning to find Sierra Leone in great condition.
The Aug. 2 victory marked the first in three starts this season for the colt, who closed out his 3-year-old year with a Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) victory and Eclipse honors as champion 3-year-old.
Through thrilling victories, heartbreaking defeats by short margins, and occasional puzzling antics through the stretch run, Sierra Leone always manages to show up. Never off the board in 12 starts, he has amassed $6,806,200 for owners Peter Brant, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook Smith.
Despite some moments and losses that likely proved frustrating, the talent he has shown time and time again draws the highest of praise from Brown.
"He's the best horse I've ever trained, and that says a lot because I've trained some great horses," said the trainer of 14 Eclipse champions. "He's just on a slightly different level. To be a real classic, high-level horse that's running in some of the toughest races in the world and having success just puts him in another league."
After taking gradual steps forward off his winter break with each start this year, the son of Gun Runner has returned to the winner's circle, and Brown hopes he will stay there as they target the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga Aug. 31.
Kilwin Accomplished BBN Dream With Test Victory
The mood was also joyous just a few barns away where the Rusty Arnold-trained Kilwin was bright and alert following her sensational closing kick that carried her to victory in the $500,000 Test Stakes (G1) by a neck.
The thrilling victory left many stunned, including Arnold, after she stumbled badly out of the gate—almost dropping jockey Jose Ortiz—and found herself 6 1/2 lengths behind the second-to-last horse after the opening quarter mile.
"I didn't think she had a chance," Arnold said. "I was a little bit shocked she got up and won from where she was. It was impressive."
That late charge led to a jubilant celebration for the many members of BBN Racing that were in attendance as Kilwin joined Concrete Rose as grade 1 winners for the group. The next morning, they were back at the barn to celebrate with the star herself and show their appreciation for her effort.
"There's such an eagerness to think about the next step," said Jeremy Rosen. "One thing about our partnership, we celebrate success. We had a good time last night, we're going to let this sink in for a couple days. ... It's more about let's appreciate what she accomplished and let's celebrate that."
BBN was founded by Braxton Lynch, Brian Klatsky, and Brendan O'Brien. Rosen is a partner and introduced Klatsky, who was business partners with O'Brien, to trainer Victoria Oliver, who was friends with Lynch.
"I jokingly say there would be no BBN without me," Rosen said. "We put this partnership together as a bunch of friends. Having a partnership that is built around friendships makes winning so much more exciting, so much more fun, and so much more meaningful. It's just a great experience."
That friendship was evident Sunday morning as the partners relaxed around the barn with their families, taking in the moment. Kilwin joined by actively keeping her head out of the stall to see what was going on.
The daughter of Twirling Candy began her career on the turf, winning the Untapable Stakes at Kentucky Downs at 2 and placing in the Mamzelle Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs earlier this season. Taking a shot at the dirt has worked well as she has now posted two stakes wins over seven furlongs and is a grade 1 winner.
A lot of doors are open for the bay filly, but for now, it appears she's headed back to the grass for the 6 1/2-furlong Music City Stakes (G2T) at Kentucky Downs Sept. 6.
"I doubt we'll keep going back and forth," Arnold said about which surface will be her long-term home, "but the (Music City) is $2 million and she loves the course. It's going to be hard not to go back to it."
Joining Rosen for the race were his son, Nate, and his dad, Eddie, a pedigree advisor for Repole Stables.
"The business plan was to win grade 1s, but that was really a dream," Rosen said. "There's an economic side to it, I acknowledge that, but this is about making lifelong memories with my son. My dad was there, and these are my closest friends in the world.
"To create memories that we'll have forever, the dream has come true."
