Approximately 13 hours before the Preakness was run at Pimlico, Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty was in action at Saratoga, where he worked a half-mile in 49.75 seconds over the Oklahoma training track in preparation for the June 7 Belmont Stakes to be run at Saratoga.
According to New York Racing Association clocker David Norton, Sovereignty went in splits of 12.88 seconds, 25.02 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:04.29. Sovereignty went by himself under exercise rider Neil Poznansky.
“He worked well, very happy with him, good energy,” trainer Bill Mott said by phone from Saratoga. “He needed to do something. It’s what we wanted to do, and he came back feeling good.”
Mott said he had no regrets about skipping the Preakness with Sovereignty as he concentrates on a summer campaign that is expected to include the Belmont Stakes and Travers, both 1 1/4-mile races at Saratoga, and races beyond.
“Nobody even considered it until the day after the Derby,” Mott, who trains Sovereignty for Godolphin, said. “It seemed like it was never in our plan.”
Asked if he had a rooting interest in the Preakness, Mott said, “I suppose if Journalism wins, it would look good for us.”
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