SOVEREIGNTY - Whitney Stakes 2026 - Photo: Emma Peterson for Agentes 305
Reigning Horse of the Year and Whitney winner Sovereignty will bypass the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park as trainer Bill Mott turns his attention toward getting the champion ready for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on October 31.
The decision, widely anticipated in recent days, became official Friday after Sovereignty was forced to miss two scheduled workouts because of an abscess in his left hind foot.
The Godolphin homebred has been away from the track for more than a week while recovering from the issue. Mott told Daily Racing Form that the hope is to have Sovereignty back on the track by the middle of next week.
If his recovery progresses as expected, Mott plans to train the reigning Horse of the Year directly into the Breeders’ Cup Classic rather than attempt to squeeze another prep race into his campaign.
“All I can tell you is I can take the 57 years of experience I have doing this and do my best,” Mott told DRF.
A 12-Week Road from the Whitney to Keeneland
Sovereignty has not raced since capturing the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga, and skipping the Jockey Club Gold Cup would create a 12-week gap between the Whitney and the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
It would not be the first time Mott has attempted to bring Sovereignty into the Classic off an extended layoff.
Following his victory in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes in 2025, Sovereignty was trained directly toward the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar. He was installed as the 6-5 morning-line favorite but was ultimately scratched after developing a fever shortly before the race.
There were approximately 10 weeks between last year’s Travers and Breeders’ Cup Classic. This time, Mott would have an additional two weeks to prepare Sovereignty for Keeneland.
The immediate priority, however, is getting the champion healthy and back into his regular training routine.
Could Baeza Replace Sovereignty in the Gold Cup?
While Sovereignty is officially out, Mott could still have representation in the Jockey Club Gold Cup with Baeza or Stars and Stripes.
Baeza, winner of the 2025 Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and most recently fourth behind Sovereignty in the Whitney, had previously been pointed toward the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita on September 26.
That plan could change.
Baeza is scheduled to work Saturday at Saratoga, and his performance could help Mott and his connections decide whether to remain on the path toward California or reroute to the 1 1/4-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park.
Stars and Stripes Also Under Consideration
Another intriguing possibility is Stars and Stripes, who enters the conversation following his victory in the Birdstone Stakes.
The 2026 Birdstone winner worked four furlongs Friday in 49.12 seconds over Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track, according to DRF clocker Mike Welsch.
Mott indicated that he was pleased with the workout and planned to speak with the colt’s owners before making a final decision regarding the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
With Sovereignty now officially sidelined from next Friday’s race, the next several days could determine whether Baeza or Stars and Stripes steps forward to represent the Mott barn.
For Sovereignty, meanwhile, the objective is clear.
Keeneland. October 31. The Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The reigning Horse of the Year will attempt to arrive there without another race, putting Mott’s decades of experience to the test as Sovereignty pursues one of the few major prizes still missing from his résumé.
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