Sovereignty Back To The Classic With Whitney Win
Thoroughbred Daily News • • sports
Key Points:
- Sovereignty, reigning Horse of the Year, made a powerful comeback with a dominant late surge to win the GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga, securing his spot for another Breeders' Cup Classic run after missing last year’s race due to illness.
- Despite a slow start and trailing early in the race, Sovereignty rallied wide in the final furlong to overtake the pace-setting filly Nitrogen and win decisively under jockey Junior Alvarado.
- Trainer Bill Mott praised Sovereignty's performance and indicated the horse's next target is the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park, setting up a potential rematch with last year’s Breeders' Cup Classic winner Forever Young.
- The victory continued a successful year for owner/breeder Godolphin and trainer Mott, both of whom earned Eclipse Awards last year, while runner-up Nitrogen also received a warm reception for her strong effort.
- Sovereignty's pedigree traces back to Godolphin's $1.2 million Keeneland purchase Crowned, a daughter of GISW Mushka, highlighting the strong bloodlines contributing to his racing success.
