Sovereignty a Doubt for the Breeders’ Cup Classic After Spiking a Fever
- Turf Diario
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Classic favorite made headlines Tuesday after developing a mild fever, and all eyes are now on Wednesday, when a final decision on his participation is expected
By Diego H. Mitagstein, special correspondent for Turf Diario in Del Mar, California
DEL MAR, California—The usual calm of dawn on the backstretch at Del Mar was shattered Tuesday by news that rippled through the racing world: Sovereignty, the overwhelming favorite for Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), spiked a fever overnight, casting serious doubt on his participation in the year’s most anticipated race.
The Godolphin superstar—winner of the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Travers Stakes—was attended to early Tuesday morning by veterinarians, and since then, his condition has been monitored hour by hour by the team of trainer Bill Mott.
“He was treated with an anti-inflammatory, and we’ve already done the bloodwork,” Mott said, standing a few steps away from the colt’s stall, where the Into Mischief son looked calm under the watchful eye of his groom. “We’re waiting on the results, but if he spikes a fever again today or tomorrow, that’s it. If I don’t think he’s 100%, he won’t run.”
The words, measured yet firm, reflect both Mott’s experience and his characteristic prudence. He avoids dramatics, but leaves no room for false hope. At this stage of the week, any physical setback is a major blow—especially for a colt who had been coming into the Classic at the absolute peak of his powers, poised to complete a season for the ages.
As recently as Monday morning, Sovereignty had trained beautifully, breezing 800 meters with his usual fluid stride and energy. Mott had even considered sending him back to the track on Tuesday before plans changed abruptly after the temperature rise was detected.
“He looks great—he ate everything, not a single oat left. He’s bright and alert,” Mott noted. “But the temperature tells the truth. A healthy horse doesn’t go above 101 degrees. His went up to 103, though he responded well to the treatment.”
Though Sovereignty is showing no outward signs of illness, the Godolphin team is taking no risks. The line between a fleeting fever and something more serious can be razor-thin, and the next 24 hours will be critical in determining whether he stays in the lineup.
Mott is scheduled to meet the press again at 9 a.m. Wednesday, when he’s expected to announce whether the colt will proceed toward the Classic or if his 2025 campaign has come to an unexpected halt.
The racing world is collectively holding its breath. Sovereignty is not just the favorite—he’s the defining horse of his generation, the colt who restored Godolphin’s dominance at the top of American racing with a dream campaign. His absence would be a blow not only to his connections but to the event itself.
For now, there’s still hope—fueled by the positive signs the colt continues to show in his stall. But as Mott put it bluntly:
“If he runs another fever, we’re out.”
The clock is ticking, and for once, even the Pacific breeze at Del Mar seems to have slowed, as the racing world waits anxiously for word on the champion.
