With racing future uncertain, Sovereignty flies from California to Kentucky

Sovereignty, the dual-classic winner and leading candidate for Horse of the Year, arrived at Keeneland Wednesday afternoon following a flight from California, trainer Bill Mott said Thursday.

Mott said he does not have any official word from the higher-ups at Godolphin on whether Sovereignty will race again. Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Travers winner, was forced to scratch from last weekend’s Breeders’ Cup Classic due to a fever.

Mott said Sovereignty is with Godolphin’s rehabilitation trainer, Johnny Burke, in a barn on Rice Road at Keeneland. It was obviously a good sign that Sovereignty was healthy enough to travel on Wednesday.

“He seemed very normal. [His] bloodwork was very good. He had been over a week without any elevated temperature or fever,” Mott said.

Sovereignty went 5 for 6 as a 3-year-old with Grade 2 victories in the Jim Dandy and Fountain of Youth in addition to his three Grade 1 wins. His only loss came when he finished second to Tappan Street in the Grade 1 Florida Derby.

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