Sovereignty and Sierra Leone Sharpen Their Form Ahead of the Breeders’ Cup

The Two Leading Contenders for the Classic Worked Over the Weekend Ahead of the Del Mar Showdown

Sovereignty Nearly Ready for His Classic Challenge / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- The two titans everyone is eager to see face off in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on November 1 at Del Mar continued sharpening their preparations over the weekend at Saratoga, leaving highly encouraging impressions. Both Sovereignty (Into Mischief), Godolphin’s sensational three-year-old, and the seasoned Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), defending champion, completed their workouts on the Oklahoma training track, confirming that they are arriving at the year’s biggest challenge in peak form.

Sierra Leone moved first, covering half a mile in 49.8 seconds on a fast track on Saturday, partnered with the beaten Duration (Mitole), whom he outfinished by a neck before clearly pulling away in the gallop-out. The Gun Runnercolt, under the watchful eye of Chad Brown, completed a solid 1200-meter gallop-out, as he has week after week.

“He worked excellent, very consistent with what he’s been showing. He’s strong, with a great break from the gate—exactly what we wanted at this stage of preparation,” said Brown, aiming to repeat the 2024 feat with the Peter Brant, Coolmore, and partners color-bearer.

Winner of the Whitney (G1) and boasting career earnings exceeding $7 million, Sierra Leone has never finished off the board: 13 starts, all in the money (5-5-3). In his latest outing, he was second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1)after being forced to alter course in the early stages. Confirmed for the Classic, the champion will close out his brilliant career before beginning stud duties at Ashford Stud in 2026.

The following day, Sovereignty showcased once again the poise and power that have made him the top juvenile of the calendar. The Into Mischief colt covered 1000 meters in 1:01.39, with fractions of 24.4 and 36.6, finishing smoothly several lengths ahead of stablemate Playa Del Mar (Into Mischief) (1:02.27).

“He looked very good. He’s not a horse who blows you away with the clock, but he always delivers what we ask. He’s solid, professional, precise. He does what he needs to do, nothing more, nothing less,” explained trainer Bill Mott, pleased with the chestnut’s progress.

Winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Travers Stakes (G1), Sovereignty arrives at the Classic with five wins in six starts this year and the challenge of facing older horses for the first time. “The key is to bring the right horse in peak condition. Everyone will arrive ready, but we want him comfortable, adapted, and free of issues,” added Mott, who plans to travel to California Wednesday for a final tune-up at Del Mar.

Thus, while one represents overwhelming youth and the other proven maturity, Sovereignty and Sierra Leone are putting the finishing touches on what promises to be an epic showdown. With less than two weeks to go, the Breeders’ Cup Classic is poised to deliver the duel everyone has been waiting for.