Sovereignty produced a sensational display on a sloppy Churchill Downs track to supply Godolphin with a cherished first success in the Gr1 Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
A five-length winner of the Gr3 Street Sense Stakes at the same course in October, the Into Mischief colt was returning on the back of two excellent runs at Gulfstream Park that included victory in the Gr2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes and a closing second in the Gr1 Florida Derby
Sovereignty (Junior Alvarado) storms home for a big Godolphin moment (Pic – Godolphin)
Sovereignty’s race nearly ended shortly after the stalls opened as he stumbled after clipping heels, with Junior Alvarado recovering on the Bill Mott-trained colt to settle towards the rear, with only Tiztastic, Sandman and Final Gambit behind him.
Switched out rounding the far turn, Sovereignty started to make eye-catching headway approaching the final three furlongs and tracked Journalism as the duo challenged wide turning in.
Owen Almighty took up the running at the top of the straight before he was swallowed up by Journalism and Sovereignty approaching the final furlong.
Sovereignty overhauled Journalism with just over half a furlong remaining and forged clear, crossing the line nearly two lengths in front.
Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “Winning the Oaks yesterday and backing up with the Derby today – we have never won this one.
“Bill Mott is one of our longest-serving trainers and the symmetry of him helping the first Dubai World Cup by sending Cigar out there. Coming here and winning a first Derby for Godolphin and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed is unbelievable.
“We wanted to see the two best horses – Sovereignty and Journalism – running down the straight and may the best horse win. We are very happy that it was Sovereignty!”
Bill Mott said: “I saw Sovereignty gearing up when he left the half-mile pole and I lost him a little bit between there and the three-eighth, but he made up a lot of ground in a hurry.
“He is a great horse, who comes from a great organisation. I can’t say enough about the horse and the organisation that started him out and did everything to make this happen. It’s great and I think it will probably take a while to sink in.”
Junior Alvarado said: “This means the world to me. I thought I had a great chance and I was so confident the whole week. I knew Mr Mott would get it done – if I had to pick someone, it would be him. We have been a team for a while and it’s more than a dream come true to do it with him and Godolphin, who have been very helpful throughout my career.”
