Godolphin’s rising star, SOVEREIGNTY, is the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park. A victory on Saturday would mark a first Florida Derby triumph for his owner/breeder and could set the stage for an elusive Kentucky Derby (G1) win in May. Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the son of Into Mischief impressed with a late-closing win in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and now steps up to 1 1/8 miles, a distance that should suit him well.
Despite global dominance in horse racing, the Kentucky Derby remains one of the few missing prizes in Godolphin’s trophy case. Michael Banahan, Godolphin USA’s director of bloodstock, acknowledges the importance of breaking through in the American classic.
“We’d love to have the opportunity to have a horse in with a chance and try to win it,” Banahan said. “We’ve had good horses in it before and been close but haven’t got it done. Any owner group with a 3-year-old colt in the springtime, that’s the big race that you’re targeting.”
Essential Quality came close in 2021, finishing third in the Derby before securing the Belmont Stakes (G1) for Godolphin. Sovereignty now carries the stable’s hopes of going all the way on the first Saturday in May.
After a dominant performance in the 1 1/16-mile Coolmore Fountain of Youth, where he surged from last to first, Sovereignty proved his class and stamina. The Florida Derby presents a new challenge—breaking from the outside post (No. 10)—but his connections remain optimistic.
“He got a better draw the last time, but he’ll be coming from the back probably,” Banahan said. “We’d rather save ground, and an inside draw is preferable, but dirt getting kicked back at him doesn’t affect him badly. We’ll go into it with great expectations Saturday.”
With a pedigree suited for longer distances and top-class training under Bill Mott, Sovereignty has every chance to deliver a big performance. A win would cement his status as a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby and provide Godolphin with a historic first Florida Derby victory.
