Sovereignty Creates History at Saratoga
Sovereignty created history at Saratoga Racecourse on August 23, 2025, by winning the Travers Stakes. He became the first-ever horse to capture the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Jim Dandy, and Travers in the same campaign. To qualify for the Travers, Sovereignty (J: Junior Alvarado, T: William I. Mott) had already secured victory in the G2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga, the traditional prep race. Earlier career highlights included breaking his maiden in the G3 Street Sense Stakes, followed by success in the G2 Fountain of Youth Stakes and the G1 Florida Derby.
In 2025, two career-defining triumphs shaped his season. The first came at Churchill Downs, where he took the Kentucky Derby — giving both jockey Junior Alvarado and owner Godolphin their first Derby victories. The second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, was skipped by his connections, with preparations tailored for the ultimate prize: the Belmont Stakes. The strategy paid off, as Sovereignty again turned back Journalism at Saratoga, completing a rare and historic double.
The Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes, one of America’s oldest and most prestigious races for three-year-olds, was staged over 1¼ miles with a prize purse of $1,250,000. On Saturday, Sovereignty confirmed his status as the season’s standout, striding clear of Bracket Buster in second, with Magnitude third and McAfee fourth. The Godolphin homebred looked every inch the champion, further cementing his place in Saratoga history.
Results from the Saratoga Card
The day began with a Maiden Special Weight for two-year-olds over 1 1/16 miles on turf, offering $100,000. Bottas (J: Flavien Prat, T: Miguel Clement) captured the opener, ahead of Franklin Delano and Feral.
Race two was an Allowance Optional Claiming at 1 3/16 miles on dirt, with a $115,000 purse. Then (J: Irad Ortiz Jr., T: Philip Antonacci) prevailed over Activist Investing and Crystal Quest.
The third event, a dirt Maiden Special Weight over 6½ furlongs for $100,000, went to Five Bars (J: Joel Rosario, T: Claude R. McGaughey III). Icecreamforevryone and Tam Tam completed the frame.
Race four, restricted to New York-bred maidens three and older, was a Maiden Special Weight over six furlongs on dirt, with $90,000 at stake. Long Pour (J: Luis Saez, T: Steven M. Asmussen) led home Merica’s Back and Speightful Storm.
The fifth race, an Allowance over 5½ furlongs on turf with a $95,000 purse, was won by Annascaul (J: Irad Ortiz Jr., T: Miguel Clement), with Alpine Giant second and Silsbee third.
Race six brought another dirt Maiden Special Weight over six furlongs, valued at $100,000. Big Dom (J: Jose L. Ortiz, T: Thomas M. Amoss) struck in front of Dr. Kapur and Vino Vici.
The Lake Placid Stakes followed, a Grade II contest for three-year-old fillies at one mile on turf, carrying $400,000. May Day Ready (J: Jose L. Ortiz, T: Joseph R. Lee) produced the decisive turn of foot to beat Play With Fire and Eponine.
Race eight, a New York-bred fillies and mares Allowance at 1 1/16 miles on turf with $95,000 in prize money, was won by Gallant Greta over Dividend Recap and Backcheck.
The prestigious Personal Ensign Stakes, for fillies and mares aged four and up, was contested over 1 1/8 miles on dirt with a purse of $500,000. Thorpedo Anna outclassed Dorth Vader and Leslie’s Rose.
The H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes, a Grade I sprint over seven furlongs on dirt with $500,000 on offer, saw Patch Adams prevail ahead of Captain Cook and Barnes.
The Resorts World Casino Ballerina Stakes, another Grade I, carried a $500,000 purse at seven furlongs for fillies and mares. Hope Road edged Scylla and Majestic Oops.
The Forego Stakes, also worth $500,000 and run over seven furlongs on dirt for four-year-olds and up, went to Book’em Danno, with Scotland and Crazy Mason trailing in behind.
The finale was a state-bred Maiden Claiming for fillies and mares over one mile on turf with a $50,000 purse. Dancin Jane took the honours, with Sky Low Low second and Fire Agate third.
Conclusion
Saratoga’s Travers Stakes has often been a test of champions, and in 2025 it crowned Sovereignty as one of the finest of his generation. His Travers Stakes victory completed an unprecedented sweep of America’s great summer races, ensuring his place in racing lore.
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