In the morning after her Second victory for Kentucky Derbycoach Bill Mott was not ready to undertake to continue a race for the triple crown with Sovereignty.
“We want to do what is best for the horse,” said Mott outside Barn 19 to Churchill Downs A rainy Sunday morning. “Of course, you always think of a triple crown, and that is not something we will not think of. …
“We must probably arrive in the coming days, but it will not be this morning.”
Mott still rushed into the light of victory 1 ½ in length on journalism in Saturday Kentucky derby.
The coach said that sovereignty had undergone 4-inch minor scratch outside his right front patron (above the hoof). Mott said he expects sovereignty to have suffered the injury when he was falling by Gold Out of the starting door.
Other than that, said Mott, sovereignty was fine and looked good during jogging on Sunday morning.
“I was really stunned when I saw him,” said Mott. “As I returned to the barn, he had eaten. His bathtub was already out of the stall. He had to eat his dinner in 20 minutes, which is quite unusual for a horse that flows so hard.”
Later, Sunday morning, Mott received the traditional call from preakness officials, inviting sovereignty to the second floor of the Triple Crown Set for May 17 Pimlico racing lessons in Baltimore.
Mott did not have the chance to run at Triple Crown in 2019 after Country House's victory in Kentucky Derby. A few days after country race contracted a virus and has never run again.
With horses that run much less frequently now than they did decades ago, the coaches are hesitant to run again two weeks after Kentucky Derby.
“Over the years, people have realized that the spacing of these horses gives you the possibility of making them last a little longer,” said Mott. “We are looking for a career and you want the career to last more than five weeks.”
Mott said the Belmont Stakes – The last stage of the triple crown on June 7 – is an attractive option. The Belmont park being renovated, the Belmont will take place in Saratoga and disputed 1 ¼ miles instead of the 1 ½ traditional miles.
“It makes me very interesting,” said Mott about the shorter distance. “I would like to see him in his best in Belmont.”
Rich Strike was the last winner of Kentucky Derby to jump the Preakness in 2022. He finished sixth at Belmont and never won another race.
Michael Buahan – Director of Bloodstock for Godolphin USA, who owns sovereignty – said that a final decision concerning preakness will likely come in the next 4 to 7 days.
“What we will do with the horse is the right thing for him,” said Banahan. “Give Bill for a few days with his team to assess and see how it goes. If it is in great shape, we will certainly take a look at everything.
Whatever the decision, Mott will always have memories of Saturday's victory.
He praised The Jockey Junior Alvarado walk And said he liked to celebrate Saturday night with his family and friends.
“While I was getting out of bed this morning, my wife asked me if I thought it was,” said Mott. “I said,” Well, it's starting to sink. It's really quite special.
* Journalism (second) – Coach Michael McCarthy said he had “no complaints” about the journalism race and said he could come back for the Preakness.
* Baeza (third) – Coach John Shirreffs said his horse would jump the preakness and could come back for Belmont.
* Owen Almighty (Fifth) – Coach Brian Lynch said Woody Stephens from Grade 1 on June 7 in Saratoga could be the next one.
* Sandman (seventh) – Coach Mark Casse said the Belmont will probably be the next departure for Sandman.
* Luxor Café (12th) / Admire Daytona (19th) – Representative Kate Hunter said the two horses will return to Japan and could return to the United States for Breeders' Cup Classic on November 1 in Del Mar.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com. Follow on X @KentuckyDerByCJ.
