Sovereignty showed a mighty closing ability and got up in time to win the $ 400,000 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes on March 1st in the Gulfstream Park.
Sovereignty, a domestic son of Godolphin von Into Mishief, raced for the first time since he had conquered the Stakes Stakes of Class 3 in Churchill Downs last October when he had taken first place from the outside to win. He achieved a similar performance on Saturday and rose behind schedule in the last step to defeat the Thaames river in a winning time of 1: 43.12.
“It was a great run, he had a great journey,” said coach Bill Mott. “We saved some ground in the first round. He could give a tip. He has some acceleration.”
The youth fountain awarded Woodford Reserve from Woodford Reserve 2025 on a scale from 50 to 25-15-15-10-5 to the top 5 finish. The sovereignty deserves 50 points and is now on the ranking with 60 points for the run for the roses of 60 points.
The Florida derby of 1 1/8 miles on March 29 seems to be a likely next step for sovereignty. “I think it is good that we showed that we can run over the route,” said Mott. “It is on the list of things that should be considered very strongly.”
NeoEquos and River Thames competed from the gate in the six-horse field and NeoEquos, the edge received in parliamentary groups from: 23.12 ,: 47.07 and 1: 10.68 with River Thame.
The sovereignty was last on the back limit, but came to third place while leaving the curve. River Thame took the lead home and pulled in the middle of the route until the winner came with his impressive stretch run.
“I already drove him a bit and when I made it clear,” said Alvarado with the winning jockey junior. “It was like 'I hope we'll be there in time' and he did it. He kept grinding there.”
Sovereignty paid $ 8.40. The Thames River crossed the wire 2 1/2 lengths in front of NeoEquos.
The coach of River Thames, Todd Pletcher, said his stallion foal was still “still ripe”.
“We actually got a perfect journey and followed the horse that we thought that they would show speed,” said Pletcher. “We could put it away and it looked like he might be at home and I think he was a little complacent. The winner organized a very good race.”
Burnham Square, the favorite and winner of the Holy Bull Stakes in class 3 in his last start, was fourth, a neck behind NeoEquos. – By Charlie McCarthy
