HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Bill Mott voiced his concern earlier in the week about his late-running Sovereignty having to make his 3-year-old debut over what is generally considered a speed-favoring track with a short stretch run in races decided at a mile and one sixteenth. But in the end, those worries proved unfounded, as Sovereignty ran down River Thames in the closing strides Saturday at Gulfstream Park to register a neck victory in the Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth.
It was another 2 1/2 lengths further back to the pacesetting Neoequos, with Burnham Square finishing a disappointing fourth as the 9-5 favorite. The win earned Sovereignty 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
Sovereignty closed out his abbreviated 2-year-old season in impressive fashion. He drew off to a five-length victory going a mile and one sixteenth in winning his maiden in the Grade 3 Street Sense at Churchill Downs on Oct. 27. It was just his third lifetime start. A Godolphin homebred by Into Mischief, Sovereignty trained up to the Fountain of Youth at Mott’s winter home at Payson Park.
Breaking from post two under regular rider Junior Alvarado, Sovereignty dropped about eight lengths off the early pace of Neoequos while saving ground in the run down the backstretch.
Sovereignty angled out to the middle of the track while commencing his rally on the second turn. He moved to closer contention while widest into the stretch and continued willingly down the center of the track, ultimately overtaking River Thames in the closing strides.
River Thames eased back and outside Neoequos after the opening quarter mile before being sent up to challenge the leader leaving the backstretch. A one-sided winner of his first two starts trying two turns for the first time on Saturday, River Thames finally stuck his head in front at the top of the stretch, edged off to a seemingly comfortable advantage near midstretch. But he could not last.
Neoequos, who had never been beyond seven furlongs prior to the Fountain of Youth, succumbed grudgingly in the final furlong while finishing a neck better than Burnham Square, who was unable to muster the same rally that carried him to victory in the Grade 2 Holy Bull here four weeks earlier.
Sovereignty covered the distance over a fast track in 1:43.12 seconds and paid $8.40. He also earned a new career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 95. The race was originally given a 98, but was adjusted after taking the new run-up into account.
“It was a great run. He had a good trip,” said Mott. “We had a great post. We were inside, saved some ground around the first turn. He was able to tip out and he’s got some acceleration.”
Mott said Sovereignty’s performance was even more impressive considering the prevailing track bias at Gulfstream.
“I thought the track bias was against us,” Mott continued. “That’s the way it is. We knew that going in, and we were prepared to suffer the consequences if it didn’t work out.”
As for future plans, Mott said that would be up for discussion, but that the $1 million Florida Derby here on March 29 was definitely on the table.
“We got one under our belt, now we visit with the team and see where we go,” Mott added. “I guess it’s a good thing we’ve shown we can run over the track. It [the Florida Derby] is definitely on the list of things to be considered very strongly. There’s no reason for it not to.”
Trainer Todd Pletcher said he thought River Thames got a perfect trip.
“He was stalking the horse that we thought would show speed,” Pletcher said. “We were able to put him away and it looked like he was maybe home, and I think he got complacent. I think he got to looking around a bit late. He showed that he’s still maturing.”
As for Pletcher's Gate to Wire, who was beaten less than five lengths in his two-turn debut, the trainer said he got the trip he was looking for and just flattened out a bit at the end.
Jockey Edgard Zayas said he felt Burnham Square just wasn’t the same horse on Saturday that he was in the Holy Bull.
“Last time, he made a nice move on the backstretch, but today he wasn’t there,” said Zayas. “On the turn he was going nowhere, but all of a sudden when I got him back to the outside, he really picked it up again. He didn’t get beat by much. He’s still learning. He definitely needs more distance and a longer stretch. Last time it was probably a weaker field, but he’s going to keep improving.”
- Additional reporting by David Grening
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