America
Long may he reign: Sovereignty remains King of Saratoga with Whitney win
By Stefanie Grimm
After an ill-timed fever knocked him out of the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic late last year, reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief) reminded everyone just how much he loves Saratoga with a dominating come-from-behind victory in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' G1 Whitney Stakes, securing his position for another run at the Classic.
Named last year's 3-year-old champion colt and Horse of the Year after wins in the G1 Kentucky Derby, the G1 Belmont Stakes, the G2 Jim Dandy and the G1 Travers Stakes, the Godolphin homebred failed to show his best in his first two starts of his 4-year-old campaign, running second to familiar rivals White Abarrio (Race Day) in the G2 Oaklawn Handicap and third to Magnitude (Not This Time) in the G1 Stephen Foster.
He was clearly ready to re-assert himself as a force Saturday, despite failing well back early of the pace-setting filly Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) who shot out to lead ahead of the aforementioned Magnitude and White Abarrio. Nitrogen and Magnitude briefly raced head and head through the opening quarter, before the filly inched up to the solo advantage.
All the while, Sovereignty was in no hurry at all and had been shuffled back to nearly last midway up the backstretch, passed briefly by both Baeza (McKinzie), and Tiztastic (Tiz the Law). It seemed for a moment as though Sovereignty was hopelessly beaten as that trailing trio lagged more than 10 lengths behind White Abarrio who whipped-in the leading pack.
Nitrogen was the first to turn for home through three-quarters in 1:09.65, but the field was beginning to loom behind her even as Magnitude and White Abarrio both shortened stride and dropped out of it.
Sovereignty, angled wide under regular pilot Junior Alvarado, came roaring five wide into the final furlong and ate into the filly's three-length advantage in mere strides, surging past with no resistance inside the 16th pole and clearing off for another scintillating Saratoga win.
Nitrogen won the photo finish for second ahead of Antiquarian (Preservationst) with Baeza finishing fourth. Magnitude faltered home in sixth and White Abarrio checked in seventh.
“I told Junior (Alvarado), I said, 'just ride him like you always did before. Don't change anything, ride with the confidence you've got in him,' and he did. When he pulled the trigger, he responded,” trainer Bill Mott said after the race.
“I told Junior (Alvarado), I said, 'just ride him (Sovereignty) like you always did before. Don't change anything, ride with the confidence you've got in him,' and he did.” - Bill Mott
“I'm like everybody else; it's a wait and see situation. I knew he was doing well coming into the race, but you've got to see it out here in the afternoon. You've got to see it against the group of horses he's running against, and he showed up today. He did what we thought he could do and what he was supposed to do, and he didn't let us down."
“It (winning) doesn't surprise me,” Mott continued. “We had a good racetrack, I said last time, there was a concern about the racetrack. It was sealed, probably a little slippery, for whatever reason, he didn't finish up, but today he was getting a hold of it, as you could see, coming through the stretch.
"You know what is special? You hear the crowd when he showed back up in front of the winner's circle? I mean, it was crazy. You just don't hear that very often. I've been here all afternoon, I didn't hear it for any other races, but I heard it for him. They were glad to see him back.”
“You hear the crowd when he (Sovereignty) showed back up in front of the winner's circle? I mean, it was crazy. You just don't hear that very often.” - Bill Mott
Mott noted that a start in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at the new Belmont Park was circled next for Sovereignty, putting a match up with last year's G1 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Forever Young (Jpn) (Reel Steal {Jpn}) on the line even before Keeneland.
“Well (it has) has always been on our calendar, so if things go well, the timing is good.”
Bill Mott | Image courtesy of Sarah Andrew
And as for facing Forever Young?
“Here we are,” Mott said. “We can't chicken out, can we?”
Alvarado and Mott also partnered up to win the Whitney in 2024 with Arthur's Ride (Tapit).
Sovereignty continues another banner year for owner/breeder Godolphin who picked up Eclipse Awards in both of those categories for his performances through the Triple Crown last year, as did Bill Mott.
Pedigree notes: Godolphin went to US$1.2 million (AU$1.7 million) to purchase Sovereignty's dam Crowned (Bernadini) as a Keeneland September yearling in 2014. And while she went unraced for the operation, she is responsible for four foals of which three have made the track and two are winners including Sovereignty's full sister, Jane Grey.
Crowned, who unfortunately passed in 2024 after reporting a Nyquist colt now named Royal Conquest, is a daughter of Grade 1 winner Mushka, an Empire Maker mare who banked north of seven figures on the track and in the sales ring as a US$2.4 million (AU$3.4 million) Brushwood Stable broodmare buy at Keeneland November in 2008.
Of her four foals, Crowned leaves behind two fillies, both of whom are full sisters to Sovereignty, who have both retired to the shed for Godolphin and have reported their own foals.
Glacius ships in to steal the Saratoga Derby
European invader Glacius (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) made his North American debut a winning one Saturday, upsetting the G1 Saratoga Derby under Luis Saez. While multiple Group-placed in England, the 9-1 shot was seeking his first win since breaking his maiden on debut at Newmarket nearly one year ago.
Shipping in for trainer Hugo Palmer, who with the victory recorded his first North American win, the V. I. Araci homebred drew outside and was extremely keen under Saez, tugging his way to the front in an early pace scramble with both Glavine (Not This Time) and West End Kid (Twirling Candy).
Unwilling to be headed even as Glavine was equally as fractious to go ahead of him, Glacius re-asserted himself on the front and held the hedge into the first turn, extending his margin in the backstretch. Even as things began to bunch up midway around the far turn with Glavine in clear pursuit of this loose leader, Saez seemed to know what he had, not even drawing his stick until well inside the final furlong.
West End Kid made a late run as did Title Role (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) but Glacius was long gone and checked in safely home in a final time of 1:53.22. Race favorite and 'TDN Rising Star' Remember Mamba (Kitten's Joy) was fourth.
“We looked at the race and we didn't think there was much pace,” Palmer said. “The one thing we really knew he would do today is stay. I knew going into it, when I booked Luis Saez, that he's one of the best riders in North America, but certainly one of the best front-running riders in America; he's very hard to pass. He certainly had to light up the horse a little bit the first 150 meters maybe to get that position, but we thought we got into a really nice rhythm.”
“The one thing we really knew he (Glacius) would do today is stay.” - Hugo Palmer
Palmer admitted that Glacius had been a tough horse to get into shape this year after a slow beginning to 2026.
“He's been a frustrating horse. We always hoped he would be an Epsom Derby horse at home in England–he just never came. He had a winter coat right up until the middle of May. As a trainer, all you can do is sit on your hands. It's the most frustrating thing. It's the only job in the world where when something's wrong, you do less, not more. He eventually came to himself and started at Royal Ascot and has run very well twice in England, so this looked a great opportunity for him.”
“He (Glacius) eventually came to himself and started at Royal Ascot and has run very well twice in England, so this looked a great opportunity for him.” - Hugo Palmer
The Saratoga Derby win could provide a springboard for Palmer to try more North American starts in the near future, including a next-out attempt at the more European-style course at Kentucky Downs.
“I don't know (what's next)” Palmer said. “We're definitely going to take him home, but I suspect his next race might be in the states. We've nominated him for the Nashville Derby (September 5 at Kentucky Downs), which is worth a lot of money. We may well go there. The Bahrain International at the end of the year. Sadly, I don't think he'll run in England for the rest of the year.”
Pedigree notes: Glacius is the eighth Grade/Group 1 winner for Darley stallion Too Darn Hot (GB) who also sired this year's G1 Belmont Derby winner (and Saratoga Derby third) Title Role.
Prominent Turkish businessman Ibrahim Araci, whose family is amongst the leading owners and breeders in Turkey, purchased Old Mill Stud in Newmarket in 2020 and has begun to lay the foundations of a breeding program there.
Araci made a splash purchasing this colt's dam, Predawn (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) at the 2019 Tattersalls December Mare Sale for 600,000gns (AU$1.2 million). That mare is a full sister to both multiple Group placegetter Shogun (Ire) and G1 Investec Oaks winner Qualify (Ire), the latter of whom became the dam of Group winners Cualificar (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and Swing Vote (GB) (Shamardal).
Predawn, who has three winners from four to race, has also produced from that lot the stakes-placed filly Al Jafara (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}) who picked up her black type at Aqueduct in the Plenty of Grace Stakes earlier this year. She has a 2-year-old Oasis Dream (GB) filly named Flutterfly (GB), a yearling Sea the Moon (Ger) filly and returned to Pinatubo for her 2026 filly.
A Sultan of Saratoga indeed: Deterministic defends Fourstardave crown
By Patrycja Szpyra
There is a new reigning Sultan of Saratoga.
No wind and rain would stop him Saturday as 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Deterministic (Liam's Map) - untouchable since May 2025 - left his rivals in his wake to defend his G1 Fourstardave Stakes crown.
There proved to be some early drama even before the gates opened when Rhetorical (Not This Time) had to be backed out after being keyed up both during the post parade and in the blocks. He reloaded well and the field broke without further incident.
Mi Bago (Vekoma) stepped up to lead the procession through an opening quarter in 0:24.20 while Deterministic tracked from second, before kicking it into gear late to claim victory. The final time was 1:35.07. A pair of jockey's objections against the third and second-place runners were both disallowed by the Stewards.
With his victory in the Fourstardave, Deterministic collects an automatic berth into the G1 Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland in October. Jockey Kendrick Carmouche has been aboard the son of Liam's Map for six consecutive victories since taking the mount.
“I was a little worried about the ground,” said Miguel Clement. “It was a lot softer than I thought it was going to be initially (after the pre-race rain), however he's top class. He can run a mile to a mile and a quarter; in the bog or firm; speed-favoring or playing towards closers.
“He's (Deterministic) just special because he overcomes these barriers consistently and overcomes these variables and everything and delivers time and time again.” - Miguel Clement
"He's just special because he overcomes these barriers consistently and overcomes these variables and everything and delivers time and time again. That's why, without a doubt, he's the leader of the division for the past two years. We'll have a long discussion with the connections after this, but I have my eye on Canada (the G1 Woodbine Mile on September 12).
“(Deterministic is) a special horse. When you have a special horse, you just have to worry about their soundness and you have to map out a career and a campaign for them. We've been fortunate enough to execute it well because, to be honest, he just makes our lives easier.”
“What an amazing horse. He made my career,” said Carmouche. “The best horse I ever rode in my life. (I) hope I get many more, but I will be very pleased with just having this one the rest of my career. Miguel and his owners, his barn, his gallop hands, his grooms, hotwalkers–they deserve all the credit. I just get to do it for a minute and 33 seconds.”
“(Deterministic is) the best horse I ever rode in my life.” - Kendrick Carmouche
Pedigree notes: Deterministic is the most accomplished runner for his dam by far, and one of two multiple winners behind his sister, Frills (Candy Ride {Arg}). She has a yearling filly by Liam's Map to her credit as well as a 2026 colt by Union Rags. A second winning half-sister Nu Pi Lambda (City Zip) also has a 2026 filly by Liam's Map. The last registered offspring for their dam is Morana (Frosted), who broke her maiden at first-asking on March 27 at Turfway Park.
Dam Giulio's Jewel (Speightstown) is a half-sister to Grade-performed Duff One (Harlan's Holiday) and that pair, in turn, is out of a half to a fleet of accomplished runners. Third dam Amelia (Dixieland Band) produced Japanese Group winner Asakusa Genki (Stormy Atlantic); Group-performed Rabbit Run (Tapit); multiple Group winner Rainha da Bateria (Broken Vow); Group winner Assateague (Stormy Atlantic), the mother of stakes winner Explorationist (Pioneerof the Nile); Group winner Kindergarden Kid (Dynaformer); and Group 1-performed He's Had Enough (Tapit).
'Rising Star' Explora romps in Test Stakes
By Steve Sherack
'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Explora (Blame) made 9-5 look like a bargain with a daylight victory as the favourite in Saturday's G1 Test Stakes at Saratoga.
Well drawn on the outside in post seven, she sat in a perfect spot beneath Flavien Prat in third, revved up three deep approaching the quarter pole and showed no mercy from there to win going away by five lengths in a dominating performance.
'Rising Star' Percy's Bar (Upstart), winner of this spring's G1 Central Bank Ashland Stakes, was second on the turnback. Goodall (Yaupon) was third. The final time for seven furlongs was 1:22.42.
“She's been phenomenal–good mare, the best clients, great jockey, perfect trip, perfect post, finally didn't have the one hole,” winning Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said.
“It's nice, I'm just so grateful that she won that race because Mike (Pegram) flew all the way up here. I think last time he came here was for McKinzie (win in the 2019 Whitney). It's tough to get Mike here, so I'm glad he made it and it's nice to be here when somebody's here.”
“She's been phenomenal (Explora) – good mare, the best clients, great jockey, perfect trip, perfect post, finally didn't have the one hole.” - Bob Baffert
As for a potential start in the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint in October at Keeneland, Baffert added, “Right now, I would say that (is the target).”
Pedigree notes: Already one of 25 Graded winners for Blame, Explora becomes her sire's eighth winner at the top level. Baffert also trained Blame's fellow Grade 1 winners Marley's Freedom and Nadal.
The US$22,000 (AU$31,000) Keeland September yearling turned US$350,000 (AU$495,000) Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May juvenile was produced by the winning Bernardini mare Collections Choice. Purchased by K.O.I.D. for US$24,000 (AU$34,000) at the 2024 Keeneland November Sale, Collections Choice, a daughter of stakes-winning Model (Giant's Causeway), is also responsible for a yearling colt by Beau Liam. The much-missed Bernardini is now responsible 25 Grade 1/Group 1 winners worldwide as a broodmare sire.
