The hero's welcome that Sovereignty received July 26 at Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott's Saratoga Race Course barn after continuing his reign atop the 3-year-old division with a one-length score over Baeza in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) was one that was perfect for any equine.
Between all the congratulatory "good job" pats, the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) victor had his pick of the grass and carrots from his beloved caretaker, Erma Scott.
Mott's night of celebration was not too different, returning home to throw some Fresh Market bacon cheddar beef burgers on the grill before turning in early. By the time he returned to the barn on a rainy morning July 27, the son of Into Mischief was showing all positive signs exiting his performance.
"He seemed fine, seemed happy, ate up," Mott reported. "Looked good this morning."
The 1 1/8-mile contest appeared to be a perfect set-up for the Godolphin homebred's main summer goal at the Spa: the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 23. He showed the ability to sit close to pacesetting Mo Plex in the early stages and overcame an early shuffle back to last on the backstretch as his rivals attempted to get a jump on him...which they did not.
"I think he just wants to get in his stride and do his run in the last five-sixteenths of a mile the way it looks to me," Mott said of the trip. "I think (Alvarado) was just letting him get into his stride (when he was shuffled back)."
The Travers looms as the next major test, one that annually pits the horses that lasted through the Triple Crown trail against the potential rising contenders in the sophomore division, and it's a race Mott has an extra incentive to win with Sovereignty.
"I haven't ever won it," the Hall of Famer joked as to why the race is such an important target.
It's hard to believe Mott has not won Saratoga's premier race, given the accolades and accomplishments throughout his career. But if there was one horse that could do it, Sovereignty appears to be him.
When Sovereignty loads into the gate Aug. 23, it will not just be Mott hoping for victory. He will be joined by thousands of the colt's fans, probably many of whom were also at Saratoga Saturday for the Jim Dandy, cheering on their hero at each sight and mention of his name from track announcer Frank Mirahmadi's lips.
Mott acknowledged the colt's growing fan base Sunday morning, and he's certainly no stranger to training popular horses with Hall of Famer Cigar and Horse of the Year Cody's Wish on his résumé, just to name two.
"Probably has a ways to go," Mott said of Sovereignty's popularity reaching that of Cigar and Cody's Wish, "but he's working on it.
Sandman Could Try Grass After Jim Dandy Fifth
One of the main stories leading into the Travers will be who will take a shot at beating Sovereignty. One horse who will likely not take that shot is Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Sandman, who finished last of five in the Jim Dandy.
"I would say there is probably little chance of that," Sandman's dual Hall of Fame trainer, Mark Casse, said about the Travers Sunday morning. "Bill's horse (Sovereignty) and John (Shirreffs') horse (Baeza) are just, right now, a cut above the rest."
The son of Tapit sat closer to the pace than usual for jockey Jose Ortiz, which was rallied off modestly by Mo Plex in :24.54, :48.49, and 1:12.42. The typical deep-closer did not display his customary late kick and was beaten 10 3/4 lengths by Sovereignty—his third career loss to the division frontrunner—but was only beaten a half-length by Hill Road for third. Sandman wore blinkers for the first time in his 11 starts, but Casse felt it had no impact on the performance.
"I think there wasn't a whole lot of pace," Casse said of the race. "Our horse is more kind of just one run, one steady run. That's what Jose said after. He said we need pace and we need it to come back a little, and it just didn't. Obviously, we were closer than normal, but I'm not going to use that as an excuse."
With the Travers currently off the table, Casse mentioned two potential options: another shot at a grade 1 dirt victory in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing Sept. 20, or a switch in surface to the turf. Sandman's Bernardini half sister, She Can't Sing, showed surface versatility as she won a trio of turf stakes in addition to her Chilukki Stakes (G3) triumph.
"You may see him pop up on the grass here soon," Casse said. "It's something I kind of always wanted to try him on, so we'll see."
Casse said he would talk over the options with owners D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and CJ Stables before making a next race plan.
When looking at the 3-year-old division as a whole, Casse threw praise upon Mott and Shirreffs for the work they have done with Sovereignty and Baeza.
"I've always been a huge fan of Bill Mott, and I think he's done a tremendous job with Sovereignty," Casse said. "How John Shirreffs is not in the Hall of Fame is beyond me. Just a class-act guy, he achieved so much in the game, if there's anybody out there who should be in the Hall of Fame, it's him."
Amo Racing USA's Hill Road is currently weighing a similar future path as Sandman. Trainer Chad Brown told BloodHorse's Bob Ehalt Sunday that the third-place finish—9 1/4 lengths behind Baeza—was not close enough to tackle the Travers Stakes. The Pennsylvania Derby is a possibility for the son of Quality Road , as is a start on turf for the colt who began his career in Ireland.
