Sovereignty takes command with G1 Travers Stakes rout

Sovereignty continued his dominance of North America’s three-year-old division as he became the first horse in 30 years to complete a sweep of the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday, 23 August.

The Bill Mott-trained colt had already showcased his brilliance with superb displays in the first and final legs of the Triple Crown and headed into the “Midsummer Derby” on the back of an easy win in the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes.

Magnitude and Bracket Buster duelled for the early lead in the 10-furlong contest, with Sovereignty disputing third on the inside of McAfee before settling in a close last of the five runners heading into the first turn.

Sovereignty moved up between Strategic Focus and McAfee to go third leaving the back, closing to within two lengths of the leading duo.

Junior Alvarado switched Sovereignty out approaching the final-quarter mile and the Into Mischief homebred soon took second from Magnitude before looming up on the outside of Bracket Buster at the top of the straight.

Having taken control of the race over a furlong out, Sovereignty powered clear before being allowed to coast home to beat Bracket Buster by an easy 10 lengths, with an even greater margin back to Magnitude in third.

Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “Sovereignty has developed step by step the way that we hoped that he would. He's had a tremendous year since the Fountain Of Youth. We are so grateful to see him develop, and Bill has done an awesome job. Getting him to peak Derby Day, Belmont Day, and back here again today. That takes an awful lot of skill, and we know he has done it many, many times in the past, but it is still awesome to see and pull off these types of wins. Junior has given the horse another great ride and I think he fits him like a glove, we know he has an awful lot of talent.

“Achieving what he has done today, the logical next spot is Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup Classic. As long as the horse is doing well and training as well as Bill wants him to be, I think that's where he'll end up next."

Bill Mott said: Junior and I tried to guess who might be showing the early speed in the race and that's all we talked about. It looked like Magnitude and the Bracket Buster were the obvious horses that would probably set the pace and we'd be somewhere in behind. And Sovereignty was - he settled into stride and looked comfortable once he got around the first turn and down the backside. When he left the three-eighths pole, he just cruised up to the leaders and took over.

“Bracket Buster, held on very well until the eighth pole. He ran a courageous race. I commend her trainer [Vicki Oliver] for giving it a shot and running in here. Her horse ran great. Our horse just proved how good he was when he pulled away in the last eighth of a mile. He’s pretty special.”

Junior Alvarado said: “I want to thank Mr Mott and congratulate him for his first Travers, and thanks to everyone at Godolphin. Sovereignty was amazing today – it was a little different, getting a little boxed in between horses, but I didn’t want to go wide into the first turn. He handles everything that I throw at him, he does it so professionally, without hesitation.

“When I turned for home, I knew where I was standing with him. I asked him a little bit and he went on very beautifully today. This is a horse of a lifetime. All my big wins have come with him and I can’t thank enough the people at Godolphin and Bill Mott for keeping the trust in me.”