Fever Opens 'Possibility' Sovereignty Misses BC Classic

Trainer Bill Mott said there is a "possibility" Sovereignty will miss the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) after the colt registered a "mild fever" Oct. 27. Mott said Sovereignty has been given medication, but if the son of Into Mischief's temperature becomes elevated again he will not race. The Hall of Fame conditioner said that a normal temperature for a horse is 101; Sovereignty's temperature was as high as 103. "If we don't feel like he's 100% he's not going to run," Mott told FanDuel TV. Mott felt it important to be upfront about the situation and made clear that at the end of the day what matters most is Sovereignty's health. "Sometimes, horses have little issues and people try to sugarcoat it," Mott said. "I'm not trying to sugarcoat anything. This is what we've got. And don't be surprised if we scratch. If we do run, and things look good, I hope I've made the right decision. I don't want to do anything to tarnish this horse's record." The trainer said he's not sure what caused Sovereignty to spike a fever and noted that the colt left a barn that had no issues and went into a barn at Del Mar that previously did not house other horses. "There's no way to prevent this," he said. As of Tuesday morning, Sovereignty's temperature was at a normal level, according to Mott. If there was any sign of encouragement it is that the winner of this year's Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) is eating as well as he has all year. "He's eating everything. He looks fine. … He's eating all his grain. He's not missed an oat. He has not missed any feed all year long, I can say that. And last night and this morning was no exception." Mott said he would like to give himself "10% wiggle room to monitor" his star athlete, who would enter the race the favorite for Horse of the Year. Sovereignty is the 6/5 morning-line favorite for the Classic. "We're going to reevaluate every day, and probably several times every day," Mott said. In addition to his Derby and Belmont wins, Sovereignty also picked up wins in the Travers Stakes (G1), the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), and the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). His only loss this year came in the Florida Derby (G1) where he was second to Tappan Street. Civil Liberty To Miss Breeders' Cup Juvenile Civil Liberty, most recently fourth in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1), has been withdrawn from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) due to swelling in an upper tendon. "Thankfully, there are no tears or holes and he remains happy and healthy," trainer Doug O'Neill posted on 'X' about the son of Independence Hall. "We are grateful to his owners Mark Davis and Great Friends. We look forward to a great 3-year-old campaign." Civil Liberty drew post 5 in the eight-horse field for the Juvenile and was installed at 30-1 on the morning line. The 2-year-old colt would have been trying to break his maiden in the race as he is 3-0-1-1 in his career, including a third-place effort in the Del Mar Futurity (G1). Civil Liberty was set to be ridden by Frankie Dettori. Japanese contender Fee Blanche (JPN), who was set to contest the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1), was also declared out on Tuesday. The daughter of Real Steel (JPN) was a veterinary scratch.