Sovereignty Remains on Course for Breeders’ Cup Classic Despite Slow Workouts

Bill Mott minimized the times recorded by the champion at Saratoga and assured that he maintains his goal of running the $7 million race at Keeneland. Knightsbridge awaits his opportunity, while Skippylongstocking has been ruled out

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).— Sovereignty continues his preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), the $7 million contest to be held at Keeneland, although his recent morning breezes raised some eye-brows due to the slow times recorded. However, trainer Bill Mott moved to offer reassurance and confirmed that the champion's main goal remains firmly intact.

Voted 2025 American Horse of the Year, the Godolphin homebred has not raced since August 8, when he captured the Whitney Stakes (G1), scoring his first victory in three starts this season.

Subsequently, a hoof abscess disrupted his training program, forcing him to miss several days of trackwork and pass on the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on September 18.

Having overcome that setback, Sovereignty resumed his breezes wearing a specialized shoe and completed three timed works over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga. On October 2, he covered 800 meters in 51s1/100, while last Sunday he was timed in 1m4s1/100 for 1000 meters—significantly slower clockings than usual.

Mott, however, attributed the times to the track surface, which was particularly deep due to a lack of watering during maintenance breaks.

"That track can get pretty deep if it doesn't get enough water. I know the time was slow, but if you watch the breeze and how he galloped out past the wire, he was working well. What matters is how he moves, not the time. He's never been a horse that blows you away in the morning. He's not Knightsbridge," the trainer explained.

Indeed, Knightsbridge represents another major hand for Godolphin and Mott ahead of the Breeders’ Cup. The son of Nyquist is in peak form following decisive victories in the Monmouth Cup (G3) and the Pacific Classic (G1), and his morning workouts have been particularly eye-catching.

On October 5, he covered 1200 meters in 1m12s96/100 over the same Oklahoma surface, a piece of work that left his trainer well satisfied.

"He had a pretty demanding work the other day. I don't think he needs to work again so soon," noted Mott, who planned to give him another breeze this Friday.

The plan is to pre-enter Knightsbridge in both the Classic and the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), though all indications suggest that if Sovereignty arrives in optimal shape for the flagship event, his stablemate will be directed toward the 1600-meter contest.

As for the champion, the schedule calls for another breeze this coming Sunday at Saratoga before shipping to Keeneland, where he will put in his final work during the weekend of October 24–25.

Meanwhile, the list of potential Classic contenders lost a prominent name: Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), the seasoned 7-year-old trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., was ruled out due to, coincidentally, a hind foot abscess.

The trainer confirmed that the veteran will resume his preparation in South Florida, targeting the Harlan’s Holiday Stakes on December 26 as a stepping stone toward the Pegasus World Cup (G1) on January 30, which is set to mark his final career start before entering stud duty in New York.

Thus, while some contenders drop out of the championship event, Sovereignty presses forward. His morning clockings may not thrill the clockers, but Mott knows his champion inside out and remains confident he will arrive ready to defend his stature as the premier star of American racing.