Sovereignty’s Kentucky Derby victory within the muck at Churchill Downs sparked curiosity over whether or not the colt can construct on his signature win over a presumably drier, quicker floor on the Triple Crown path.
The query now could be whether or not that check will come in the end.
[MORE: Sovereignty wins muddy 151st Kentucky Derby, outlasting favorite Journalism]
Corridor of Fame coach Invoice Mott didn’t sound like somebody making ready Sovereignty for a visit to Baltimore to run within the one hundred and fiftieth Preakness Stakes on Could 17 at Pimlico Race course, providing a cautious strategy Sunday.
“The beauty of the Triple Crown is that not many horses are in a position to do it,” Mott mentioned, referring to American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018. “I imagine that he’s an enormous, robust horse and in case you’re ever going to have a look at one and say, OK, if that’s your objective and the objective of the proprietor, it’s nonetheless in the very best curiosity of the horse. However we’re going to look long run.”
The speedy futures for horses that completed simply behind Sovereignty or skipped the Derby altogether remained muddy, as effectively.
Two-time Triple Crown-winning coach Bob Baffert returned to Churchill Downs after a four-year suspension with two entries however scratched Wooden Memorial winner Rodriguez, pointing him towards the Preakness. Fellow Corridor of Famer Todd Pletcher scratched his lone Derby entrant, Grande, on Friday. There’s additionally a big group of hopefuls who earned Derby factors throughout qualifying and will attempt different Triple Crown stops.
The Preakness is the shortest race at 1 3/16 mile, however its fast two-week turnaround from the 1 1/4-mile Derby usually offers pause for trainers and possession teams. With the Belmont Stakes set for June 8, 5 weeks after the Derby and separated three weeks from the Preakness, that race is considered by many as a most well-liked choice.
That ultimate jewel of the Triple Crown, happening at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York for a second consecutive 12 months, options the identical distance because the Derby due to the form of the observe as a substitute of its conventional 1 1/2-miles.
[MORE: Kentucky Derby winners: Complete list by year since 1875]
Redemption could be to ensure that Derby runner-up Journalism, who fell quick because the 3-1 favourite. Coach Michael McCarthy was not out there to speak to reporters Sunday however praised his colt’s effort to rally into the lead briefly earlier than Sovereignty, the 7-1 third alternative, overtook him within the stretch and gained by 1 1/2 lengths.
“He made a pleasant center transfer, then on the flip for residence he opened up,” McCarthy mentioned after the race, “however I noticed the blue silks coming at us and I knew that was the one we had been going to should be involved about. He ran the very best he might and ran an excellent race. However the winner ran a greater race.”
Ultimate Gambit charged from final to complete fourth amongst 19 horses, and coach Brad Cox mentioned, “This offers us confidence to attempt a quick grime floor sooner or later.”
Mott and Godolphin LLC possession group consultant Michael Banahan expressed the identical religion in Sovereignty for his subsequent step.
The most recent Derby champion emerged briefly on the shed row for media and onlookers, and his handlers felt good in regards to the horse’s preliminary situation. They plan to observe him the subsequent few days earlier than making a choice in regards to the speedy a part of his brilliant future.
“We’re simply doing the best factor for the horse, what he must do,” Banahan mentioned. “He has an enormous 12 months, hopefully to proceed down the highway right here. There’s an terrible lot of good races that you just’d prefer to placed on his resume, as effectively. So, we’re simply doing the best factor for him.”
Reporting by The Related Press.
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