LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sovereignty, the recent winner of the Kentucky Derby, will not make an appearance at the Preakness Stakes on May 17, marking a significant shift in the plans for the talented racehorse. Trainer Bill Mott informed officials from 1/ST that the horse will instead target the Belmont Stakes, which is set for June 7 at Saratoga Race Course.
Mike Rogers, executive vice president of 1/ST, confirmed the update in a statement, offering congratulations to the entire connection of Sovereignty for their Derby triumph and expressing respect for the decision to avoid the Preakness. “We received a call today from trainer Bill Mott that Sovereignty will not be competing in the Preakness. We extend our congratulations to the connections of Sovereignty,” Rogers said.
Sovereignty etched his name into history by winning the 151st Kentucky Derby, finishing 1½ lengths ahead of the favorite, Journalism. The victory at Churchill Downs was particularly meaningful, as it marked Mott’s second win at the Derby, following a controversial win in 2019 with Country House.
Michael Banahan, director of USA bloodstock for Sovereignty’s owner Godolphin, emphasized that Mott’s judgment would be pivotal in deciding the horse’s future race plans. “I think we’re going to leave that up to the trainer,” Banahan said. “He’s in the Hall of Fame for a lot of good reasons. [Sovereignty] ran really hard today, and especially when you get a closer from off the pace like that, they have to lay their body on the line a little bit.”
The Derby win also spotlighted jockey Junior Alvarado, who celebrated his first victory in the race after five previous attempts. Sovereignty’s impressive performance earned a $3.1 million payday, enhancing the legacy of an ownership group that had long sought success at such prestigious events.
Looking ahead, the Preakness Stakes will take place at Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore, where competitors will vie for the chance to potentially disrupt the series of victories leading to a Triple Crown. Meanwhile, the Belmont Stakes remains a target for Sovereignty, promising an exciting showdown for fans and bettors alike.
Mott’s strategic decision to aim for the Belmont rather than push for the shorter turnaround to the Preakness underscores the importance of careful management of equine athletes. With aspirations high and a path laid out, the racing community looks forward to seeing how Sovereignty will perform in the future.