A comfortable first-time gallop around the Del Mar racetrack on Monday morning and Sovereignty is now rarin’ to go against nine mostly familiar rivals as the 6-5 morning-line favorite in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
The 1 ¼-mille Classic has come up as one of the deepest fields in its storied 42-year history, led by Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty.
Sovereignty, the 3-year-old wonder horse trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, drew the No. 6 post Monday night at the post-position draw for all 14 Breeders’ Cup races over two days (Friday and Saturday) offering more than $34 million in prize money. The complete lineup and race times are available on the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Schedule.
The Classic field is as elite as can be with Pacific Classic (G1) winner Fierceness the 4-1 second choice, Japan star Forever Young next at 6-1 and defending Classic winner Sierra Leone at a generous 8-1 as he seeks to become only the second horse to repeat (Tiznow won in 2000 and 2001).
“His races have gotten faster as the year's gone on,’’ Mott said of Sovereignty. “He'll need to improve a little bit to get the job done here. It's a very competitive field, I think it's a great race.
Fierceness drew the dreaded inside post, a starting spot trainer Todd Pletcher did not want. Last time out, Fierceness, under John Velazquez, veered inside just at the start of the Pacific Classic but somehow managed to find his rhythm and win the race. The temporary rail at Del Mar has been extended since the incident.
Fierceness and Forever Young, who leaves from post 5, are back in the Classic for another shot after running second and third a year ago.
Pletcher has two others in the field: Mindframe (10-1, post 8) and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner (G1) Antiquarian (15-1, post 10).
Journalism may be an afterthought at 10-1, but the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1) winner, also merits high praise for trainer Michael McCarthy. Jose Ortiz has the call for the first time.
Baeza (15-1, post 2), trained by John Shirreffs, comes into the Classic after a pair of thirds in the Derby and Belmont followed by a breakthrough Grade 1 win in the Pennsylvania Derby.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert seeks a fifth Classic win with 20-1 longshot Nevada Beach, upset winner in the Goodwood Stakes (G1). Also entered by trainer Chad Brown is Contrary Thinking (50-1) as a pacesetter for stablemate and deep closer Sierra Leone.
The depth of the field will test any handicapper to come up with a winning combination.
“It's a wonderful race. You've got the [top] 3-year-olds against the older horses … taking on the first three finishers from last year [Breeders' Cup Classic]. It doesn't get better than that,’’ Mott said.
Earlier, Brown said: “I’m looking forward to this race as much as any fan or any other participant, it’s great for racing. When you’re in these types of positions, internally you want to put horses in the worst company . . . you’re always looking for an easier field. Truthfully, I’m not, I hope all the horses make it in there safely. I can’t wait to see the race and how it unfolds.”
| PP | Horse | Fractional | American |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fierceness | 4/1 | +400 |
| 2 | Baeza | 15/1 | +1500 |
| 3 | Nevada Beach | 20/1 | +2000 |
| 4 | Contrary Thinking | 50/1 | +5000 |
| 5 | Forever Young (JPN) | 6/1 | +600 |
| 6 | Sovereignty | 6/5 | +120 |
| 7 | Sierra Leone | 8/1 | +800 |
| 8 | Mindframe | 10/1 | +1000 |
| 9 | Journalism | 10/1 | +1000 |
| 10 | Antiquarian | 15/1 | +1500 |
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
