Kentucky Derby Winner Sovereignty Gets Ready for Next G1 Target

The horse racing season isn’t done yet. And the American Triple Crown doesn’t either. Absolutely! Journalism took the win at the G1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore just a few days ago, after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby. But wait, there’s more to the story! Horse racing fans, mark your calendars for June 7 because the Belmont Stakes is coming up! But you know, Journalism’s win at the Preakness really did set a benchmark.

Journalism made a strong move through traffic and bounced back from a tough spot with competitors, climbing from sixth place to pass longshot Gosger in the final moments, finishing ahead by half a length with a time of 1:55.37. So, is the colt going to take part in the Belmont Stakes? We don’t have any confirmation at this point, just some speculations floating around.

“It would be three races in five weeks but if the horse is doing as well as he’s doing now it would be hard to offer up any excuses. Now it’s two races in two weeks. He ate up last night and he seems pleased with himself. So, we’ll weigh the pros and cons,” said Journalism’s trainer Michael McCarthy. Basically, McCarthy is all about avoiding any kind of risk. Journalism was all about the Kentucky Derby, and now it made its mark in the Preakness. Heading to Belmont is going to be a bit of a challenge for the horse, and the trainer really needs to take a good look at the conditions that are going to be in play for this.

So, are the fans hoping for a rematch between him and Sovereignty? Only time will tell. So, about that Kentucky Derby winning horse, there’s some news on the colt. On X, @sdhorserace reported: “Sovereignty worked 4-furlongs in 49.7 at Saratoga Saturday for trainer Bill Mott. 13/32. It’s the son of Into Mischief’s first work since his win in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs (5-3).”

Sovereignty worked 4-furlongs in 49.7 at Saratoga Saturday for trainer Bill Mott. 13/32. It's the son of Into Mischief's first work since his win in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs (5-3)

@coadymediaUSA pic.twitter.com/mc8OrJaP8w

— sdhorserace (@sdhorserace) May 21, 2025

Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby winner, is back in training! The horse had a solo four-furlong breeze at Saratoga Race Course, finishing in 49.76 seconds on the Oklahoma dirt training track. This was his first workout since winning the Derby on May 3. With trainer Bill Mott keeping a close eye, the colt clocked a solid time, proving he’s all set for the upcoming G1 race. So, a lot of people wanted him to run in Belmont, but his trainer just flat out said no, wanting to make sure the horse gets the proper rest to come back stronger for Belmont.

“We want to do what’s best for the horse. Of course, you always think about a Triple Crown, and that’s not something we’re not going to think about,” Mott shared with reporters at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, after his remarkable win at the venue. So, how’s the colt’s career been going?

A track record that led to a prominent Kentucky Derby win

Sovereignty, the winner of the 2025 Kentucky Derby, has built an impressive racing career that’s all about resilience and smart growth. This bay colt, bred and owned by Godolphin and trained by the legendary Bill Mott, is sired by Into Mischief, who’s known as one of North America’s top sires. He made quite the splash as a two-year-old, winning the Street Sense Stakes in 2024.

This early success suggested he had what it takes for the national stage. Sovereignty made a comeback to the track in March 2025 after taking a break over the winter, and it was all about the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park. He really showed off his closing ability, coming from behind to win by a neck over River Thames, which earned him 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. He then took part in the Florida Derby and ended up finishing a solid second, which really helped to cement his reputation as a top contender.

During the 151st Kentucky Derby on May 3, Sovereignty managed to conquer a muddy track and a tough post position, beating the favorite, Journalism, by 1 1/2 lengths with a time of 2:02.31. Sovereignty has had quite the career so far, with 6 starts under its belt—3 wins and 2 second-place finishes, racking up earnings of $3,672,800. He’s still definitely a strong contender on the track!

The post Kentucky Derby Winner Sovereignty Gets Ready for Next G1 Target appeared first on EssentiallySports.