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Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner, will spend the summer in Saratoga Springs. Trainer Bill Mott plans to enter the three-year-old thoroughbred in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, July 26. If Sovereignty performs well, he will likely compete in the prestigious Travers Stakes on Saturday, August 23. The Saratoga racing season, known as "The Summer Place to Be," begins Thursday, July 10.
Sovereignty's impressive victories have solidified his status as a top contender in horse racing. He won the Belmont Stakes by three lengths, following a similar triumph in the Kentucky Derby. His success is attributed to the skilled teamwork of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and jockey Junior Alvarado. The duo has achieved significant success with other horses, such as Cody’s Wish and Art Collector.
Mott is optimistic about Sovereignty's prospects at Saratoga, citing the favorable training environment at the Oklahoma training track. "He's here. He's comfortable. He's got a nice shade tree out here," Mott said. The Jim Dandy Stakes serves as a traditional prep race for the Travers, and Mott sees it as a logical next step for Sovereignty.
The Saratoga meet offers a prime opportunity for Sovereignty to continue his winning streak, with some of the nation's most prestigious races taking place during this time. Mott remains cautious, stating that plans depend on Sovereignty's condition in the coming months. "If he was going to have a race before the Travers, it would be the Jim Dandy," Mott added.