Sovereignty Earns Respect, Tops Initial Rankings on the Road to the Breeders’ Cup Classic

Following his victories in the GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes, and GII Jim Dandy S., the Godolphinhomebred sits atop the first official rankings for the most anticipated race of the year

Sovereignty has been putting together a stellar campaign / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

LOS ANGELES, California (Special for Turf Diario).-The road to the 2025 Breeders’ Cup is starting to heat up, and the first concrete indication of what's to come arrived Tuesday with the release of the initial rankings for the GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, the $7-million centerpiece set for Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

Topping the list with 383 votes is the sensational Sovereignty, the 3-year-old representing Godolphin, who has strung together a trio of headline victories in the GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes, and GII Jim Dandy S., building a résumé that’s propelled him straight into the national spotlight.

A son of Into Mischief trained by Bill Mott, Sovereignty has won four of five starts this season. His most recent performance at Saratoga further solidified his status as a colt with superstar potential. With the Classic as his ultimate goal, a next start in the GI Travers S.—a summer highlight in New York—appears likely.

Close behind with 365 votes is Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), the reigning Classic champion and recent winner of the GI Whitney S. Trained by Chad Brown and campaigned by the partnership of Peter Brant, Coolmore, and Brook Smith, the colt reasserted his authority at the top level and appears poised to return to Del Mar in peak form, aiming to become just the 10th horse to win the Classic twice.

In third with 289 votes is another standout sophomore: Journalism (Curlin). Second in the Kentucky Derby, the Michael McCarthy trainee rebounded with back-to-back wins in the GI Preakness S. and GI Haskell Invitational S.Owned by a powerhouse syndicate led by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners—with Don Alberto, Bridlewood, and Coolmore also involved—the bay has already secured a Classic berth via his Monmouth Park triumph.

Among the older horses, Mindframe (Constitution) sits fourth with 286 votes. Unbeaten in three starts this year—including the GI Churchill Downs S. and GI Stephen Foster S.—the Todd Pletcher pupil represents the formidable team of Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables.

Rounding out the top five is Nysos (Nyquist), the speedster from the Bob Baffert barn, who earned 197 votes off his GII San Diego H. victory.

The remainder of the top 10 includes, in order:6. Fierceness (City of Light) – 186 votes7. Forever Young (Real Steel) – 1438. Baeza (McKinzie) – 1099. Highland Falls (Curlin) – 10710. White Abarrio (Race Day) – 64, the 2023 Classic winner.

It's worth noting that Sierra Leone, Journalism, Mindframe, and Forever Young have already clinched spots in the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic through the “Win and You’re In” challenge series.

The Classic rankings are compiled weekly by a panel of selected journalists, handicappers, and industry insiders chosen by Breeders’ Cup, who vote in descending order (10-9-8...1). Rankings will be updated every Tuesday through Oct. 7, when the likely field is expected to take final shape.

With 3-year-olds occupying the top three spots, the 2025 edition of the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated and competitive in recent memory. The generational clash is already brewing. Now all eyes turn to Del Mar to see who arrives at peak form for the biggest race of the fall.