The $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga is one of the few gaps on Bill Mott’s remarkable resume. Now, the Hall of Fame trainer has a real chance to fill it with Sovereignty, the colt who already owns victories in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. Backed by Godolphin’s powerful breeding program, Sovereignty has established himself as the clear leader of his class. And his recent triumph in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes only strengthened that position, a race long considered the perfect lead-in to the Travers.

This past Saturday, the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes champion logged a sharp workout at the Oklahoma Training Track. Sovereignty took to the track for morning practice under the guidance of Neil Poznansky, beginning around 7:30 a.m. (ET). Trainer Bill Mott led the colt around the oval on his pony before Sovereignty pulled ahead of his workmate, Fort Nelson, by at least a length, covering five-eighths of a mile in 1:00.82. The Grade 2 Jim Dandy winner from July 26 stayed in front the entire way and finished strongly, galloping out in 1:14.33. 

At the Race Course, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott shared a touching moment with his grandson, William, as he guided the young boy through the barn area. The brief clip offers a glimpse of Mott away from the racetrack spotlight. He also showed the warmth of a grandfather introducing his grandson to the environment that has defined much of his life. Watching the workout from the barn with his young grandson William in his lap, Mott said he was very pleased with Sovereignty’s effort. 

Talking about Sovereignty, Mott said, “I thought that went well. It was something very similar to what we wanted– a decent five-eighths.” Sovereignty, with over $5 million worth of victories this year, aims to capture the Travers Stakes. Bill Mott’s star horse aims to enhance further a resume that already boasts victories in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets. His resume also includes a win in the Grade 3 Street Sense as a maiden last year and the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth this past March at Gulfstream Park. 

Sovereignty on top in the second edition of Breeders’ Cup classic rankings

Godolphin’s homebred three-year-old Sovereignty continues to hold the top spot after the second week of voting in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings. The weekly list highlights the leading 10 horses vying for the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), set for Nov. 1 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California, as part of the 42nd Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Sovereignty’s strong position in the rankings underscores its status as one of the leading contenders for one of the year’s most prestigious races.

Trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Bill Mott, Sovereignty, the standout three-year-old who captured the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), continued to impress voters in the latest Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings. The Godolphin homebred totaled 413 votes, including 24 first-place selections, reinforcing his position as a leading contender for the $7 million race.

Following closely in second place is Sierra Leone, the defending Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic champion and recent Whitney Stakes (G1) winner. The Chad Brown-trained runner collected 376 votes for owners Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook T. Smith. With both horses enjoying high-profile victories this season, the rankings highlight the growing anticipation for a potential showdown at the 42nd Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Nov. 1 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in California.

Sovereignty’s impressive record and consistent performances have made him a fan favorite and a key focus for racing analysts, while Sierra Leone’s proven ability to perform at the highest level adds another layer of excitement to the championship narrative. As the fall racing season unfolds, all eyes will remain on these top-ranked thoroughbreds as they prepare for the biggest race of the year.