Sovereignty aims to grab the headlines again in G1 Belmont Stakes

Sovereignty will take on Journalism and Baeza for a second time as the Kentucky Derby 1-2-3 face off in a blockbuster renewal of the G1 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday, 7 June. 

A length and a half separated Sovereignty and Journalism in the first leg of the US Triple Crown, in which the Godolphin colt unleashed a sensational stretch run to provide the royal blue silks with a prized first victory in the Run for the Roses. Baeza ran on strongly to take third, a neck behind Journalism. 

Sovereignty and Baeza did not run in the G1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico two weeks later, a race that Journalism took in thrilling fashion despite meeting significant trouble in running. 

Into Mischief homebred Sovereignty displayed his Triple Crown credentials on his final juvenile outing, taking the G3 Street Sense Stakes by five lengths. 

Given two Kentucky Derby prep runs at Gulfstream Park, Sovereignty flashed home to take the G2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes before the Bill Mott-trained three-year-old produced another strong finish to take second in the G1 Florida Derby. 

Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “Sovereignty is coming into the Belmont in very good fettle. He had a very strong work in company last week and came back last Sunday with a very nice solo breeze. Bill is very happy with his preparation.

“It’s a strong field with the top three returning from the Derby and all appear to be coming into the race in top condition. It is the race that everyone wants to see, with the Preakness winner taking on the Derby winner.

“We are going into the race confident that Sovereignty will be able to run back to his Derby effort and possibly improve again.”

Think Big hopes to crown his remarkable ascent through the turf sprinting ranks with a first G1 success in the same card’s Jaipur Stakes. 

The son of Twirling Candy is unbeaten in four appearances on grass for Michael Stidham and steps up in class on the back of swooping G2 wins in Keeneland’s Shakertown Stakes and the Twin Spires Turf Sprint on the Kentucky Derby undercard. 

Michael Banahan added: “Think Big had a beautiful breeze in preparation for his G1 on the Tapeta at Fairhill on Saturday, where he shipped over due to the wet track at Delaware. 

“Mike said he couldn’t be coming into the race in any better shape. He is undefeated sprinting on the grass and will be a strong favourite to cement his spot as the leading turf sprinter in the country with a win on Saturday.

“We are confident that, with a good trip, he will be hard to beat as he keeps improving from race to race. He does have to give weight away to the whole field, up to 6lbs.”