Sovereignty breezes easy half over dull Oklahoma surface

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Sovereignty, who has bounced out of his decisive victory over Journalism in the Belmont Stakes with a series of eye-catching gallops on the Oklahoma training track the past two weeks, finally returned to the work tab on Friday. He breezed an easy half-mile in 51.27 seconds, per Daily Racing Form, over a track that has been very cuppy and on the slower side of late.

Training at his usual time just before 6 a.m., Sovereignty appeared a bit eager approaching the half-mile pole before coming quickly to hand down the backstretch. He posted an opening quarter split of 25.49 before cruising to the wire to complete the maintenance-like drill, easing up purposefully on the gallop-out into and around the turn.

Although not happy about the slower nature of the course, trainer Bill Mott nonetheless was very pleased with Sovereignty’s effort in his first official drill since June 1, six days before his three-length victory in the Belmont.

“The track looks very slow, but he looked fine, that’s all that really matters,” Mott said immediately after the work. “I was looking for 49, but given the track, that’s probably what it was. He’s doing fine. It’s just his first work back.”

Mott is pointing Sovereignty to the Grade 2 Jim Dandy going 1 1/8 miles here July 26 as a stepping-stone to his next major goal, the Grade 1 Travers, four weeks later.

:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports