Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, who secured his only Kentucky Derby win in 2019 under controversial circumstances, is back with a promising contender named Sovereignty. Despite the asterisk attached to his previous victory due to Maximum Security’s disqualification, Mott remains optimistic about his chances this year. Sovereignty, one of the leading contenders, has shown great potential after finishing second in the Florida Derby and winning the Grade 3 Street Sense at Churchill Downs last fall. With Junior Alvarado regaining the reins for the upcoming race, Mott hopes Sovereignty can deliver a strong performance on the first Saturday in May.
Mott’s journey in the Kentucky Derby dates back to 1984 when he made his debut with Taylor’s Special, finishing in thirteenth place. Since then, his record stands at one win out of thirteen appearances. Last year, Mott finished sixth with Resilience. Over the years, Mott believes that the quality of horses he brings to the race has steadily improved. This year, Sovereignty appears to be among the best horses he has entered into the prestigious event.
Sovereignty demonstrated his prowess during a recent workout at Churchill Downs, breezing five furlongs in an impressive time of 1:00.60. What adds to Mott’s confidence is the fact that Sovereignty already triumphed at Churchill Downs last October in the Grade 3 Street Sense race. "You’d feel terrible if he’d been here and hadn’t run well over the track," Mott remarked. Some horses adapt better to specific tracks, and Sovereignty seems to have taken well to Churchill Downs' surface.
After breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs, Sovereignty took a break before making his three-year-old debut on March 2 in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park, where he emerged victorious. Although he came in second in the Florida Derby, finishing 1 ¼ lengths behind Tappan Street, his performance down the stretch was encouraging. Mott noted that Sovereignty has consistently closed strongly, which bodes well for the longer distance of the Kentucky Derby.
Jockey Junior Alvarado will ride Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby, having recovered from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for three weeks, including missing the Florida Derby. Alvarado previously rode Sovereignty in his first four races, providing continuity and familiarity for the upcoming challenge.
As the anticipation builds for the Kentucky Derby, Sovereignty joins six other hopefuls who worked out at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Among them, Blue Grass runner-up East Avenue posted the fastest time by covering four furlongs in 47.60 seconds. Other notable performances included Burnham Square, Tiztastic, Publisher, Flying Mohawk, and Final Gambit.
With the eyes of the racing world set on the first Saturday in May, Bill Mott and Sovereignty aim to prove their mettle against top-tier competition. While past achievements carry weight, Mott acknowledges the importance of delivering results when it truly matters. As Sovereignty prepares to face the rigors of the Kentucky Derby, all hopes rest on sustaining his remarkable run and leaving a lasting mark on the historic race.
