By Steve Sherack
Godolphin homebred Sovereignty (Into Mischief) kicked off his sophomore campaign in style with a dramatic, last-to-first victory in Saturday's GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Park, good for 50 points on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby.
Last of six and urged along by Junior Alvarado to keep pace through a half mile in :47.07, Sovereignty began to get going with a four-wide blitz on the far turn. Still with his work cut out for him in third as they straightened, the 3-1 third choice leveled off beautifully in the short stretch and came with massive strides to nail two-for-two 'TDN Rising Star' River Thames (Maclean's Music) by a neck. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to longshot pacesetter Neoequos (Neolithic) in third. Favored GIII Holy Bull S. winner Burnham Square (Liam's Map) was a disappointing fourth.
Sovereignty was last seen earning his diploma with an eye-catching, come-from-behind victory while making his two-turn debut in the GIII Street Sense S. at Churchill Downs Oct. 27. He made two previous starts, a rallying fourth sprinting on the Travers undercard Aug. 24 (highlighted in our Second Chances series) and just missing by a neck going a one-turn mile at the Big A Sept. 27.
Sovereignty missed some time due to a “little fever” in January, Godolphin USA Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan said in these pages Feb. 7.
“It was a great run,” said winning Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. “He had a good trip. We had a good post inside, saved some ground on the first turn. Fortunately, we didn't get an outside post and have to be wide on the first turn. He saved some ground, he was able to tip out, and he's got some acceleration.”
Mott continued, “We got one under our belt and now we get with the team and see where we go. I guess it's a good thing that we've shown that we can run over the track. Naturally, [the Florida Derby] is on the list of things to be considered very strongly.”
Pedigree Notes:
The son of leading sire Into Mischief was produced by the unraced Bernardini mare Crowned, a daughter of GISW Mushka (Empire Maker) and a $1.2-million Keeneland September yearling purchase by Sheikh Mohammed's operation. The Into Mischief x A.P. Indy cross has produced GISWs Atone (o/o an A.P. Indy mare) and Newgate (o/o a Majestic Warrior mare). Crowned produced a colt by Nyquist last year.
Sovereignty and @JuniorandKellyA surge late to win the @coolmoreamerica Fountain of Youth S. G2 for William Mott and @godolphin! #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/gySBOyWyhy
— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) March 1, 2025
Saturday, Gulfstream Park
COOLMORE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH S.-GII, $401,650, Gulfstream, 3-1, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.12, ft.
1–SOVEREIGNTY, 123, c, 3, by Into Mischief
1st Dam: Crowned, by Bernardini
2nd Dam: Mushka, by Empire Maker
3rd Dam: Sluice, by Seeking the Gold
O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-William I. Mott; J-Junior Alvarado. $245,520. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-0, $388,800. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–River Thames, 121, c, 3, Maclean's Music–Proportionality, by Discreet Cat. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. 'TDN Rising Star'. ($200,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG). O-CHC, Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC; B-CTR Stables, LLC (NY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $79,200.
3–Neoequos, 119, c, 3, Neolithic–Bold Birdie, by Birdstone. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($22,000 Ylg '23 OBSOCT). O-Ian Parsard, Shining Stables, LLC and Stefania Farms, LLC; B-Helen & Joseph Barbazon & Matalona Thoroughbres, LLC (FL); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.. $41,250.
Margins: NK, 2HF, NK. Odds: 3.20, 2.10, 14.50.
Also Ran: Burnham Square, Gate to Wire, Keep It Easy. Scratched: McKellen, Solid Left.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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