Sierra Leone won the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic Saturday at Del Mar, though a tragedy marred the closing day of the championships.

After coming up short in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stake, Sierra Leone won the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic by 1½ lengths.

Sierra Leone rallied past Fierceness in the final stretch to win the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday, expunging the memory of Kentucky Derby disappointment.Fierceness, trained by Todd Pletcher and winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last year,

Forever Young, the highest-rated of three Japanese runners, finished third, with locally based Newgate fourth and Senor Buscador fifth. Ireland’s hope, Epsom Derby winner City of Troy — the morning-line favorite — missed the break, never was in the mix and got home eighth in his first race on dirt.

One of the best things about 3-year-olds dominating the big races at the Breeders' Cup World Championship races is the likelihood many of them will race on around the world in 2025.

The two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships conclude Saturday at Santa Anita Park with nine races, including the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic with Arabian Knight the 3-1 morning line favorite. The Bob Baffert-trained 3-year-old colt began his career 364 days ago with a 7 1/4-length victory in the opening race on the Saturday Breeders' Cup