Sovereignty, who was the 6-5 morning-line favorite, will not run in Saturday’s $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar, a huge disappointment.
Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott announced the decision Wednesday morning, about 24 hours after revealing that the 3-year-old superstar had spiked a fever overnight.
“We’re going to scratch,” Mott told FanDuel TV. “He spiked another fever [Tuesday] afternoon about 3 o’clock. His temperature shot up again, and we treated him again. That basically made our decision.”
Mott emphasized that the colt was not in distress.
“He seems to be doing well this morning, but he’ll definitely be scratched,” he said. “He’s eating everything, and I don’t think he even knows he’s sick.”
The field for the Classic’s 42nd running is arguably its best ever, with standouts Sierra Leone, the defending champion, along with Fierceness, Journalism, Forever Young, Mindframe, and Baeza. But the loss of its marquee player definitely takes some of its glamor away.
“We wanted to showcase our horse in one of the best Breeders’ Cup Classics in many years,” Mott said. “We’re disappointed, and many other people are, too. It’s just bad luck. There’s nothing we can do about it.”
Look for Fierceness, who finished second to Sierra Leone in last year’s Classic, to move into the favorite’s role, with Japan star Forever Young, in the 2024 Classic, to be the second betting choice over Sierra Leone.
Victories in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Travers Stakes (G1) ensure he’ll be the 3-year-old champion. Even sitting out the Classic, he’s almost sure to be Horse of the Year, no matter who wins the race.
Mott is a conservative, old-school trainer, and Sovereignty’s breeder and owner, Godolphin, always has been ultra protective of its superstars’ reputations.
Even before the official decision, Mott likely knew what was in the cards.
“I don’t want to do anything to tarnish this horse’s record foolishly,” Mott said. “If there is something wrong come race day, I don’t want to pretend he’s OK and then have him run badly.”
Sovereignty has won six of nine career starts with two seconds for earnings of $5,835,300.
