Sovereignty Points Towards Florida Derby, Just F Y I To Return For Mott

[Wandering Eyes]

Godolphin homebred and GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) is being pointed to the GI Curlin Florida Derby for his next start March 29.

“I think we're leaning very heavily toward the Florida Derby,” said Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott Friday. “We're 95 percent sure that's where we're going.”

Sovereignty earned 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points for his Fountain of Youth victory by a neck over 'TDN Rising Star' River Thames (Maclean's Music), and is tied with 2024 2-year-old male champion Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) for second on the list with 60. The 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby offers points to the top five finishers on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis.

Mott said Sovereignty exited his comeback race well and has resumed training at his winter base of Payson Park.

“He looks good,” Mott said. “He's doing good and back on the track galloping.”

Mott will be bringing back another of his stable's stars next week in George Krikorian-homebred Just F Y I (Justify), the 2-year-old filly champion of 2023 who has not raced since finishing sixth in the GI Acorn Stakes last June at Saratoga.

Just F Y I, now four, is entered to return in an optional claiming allowance for older fillies and mares going one mile on the main track Thursday, March 13.

“We need to get started,” Mott said. “She's been away a long time and we decided to try an allowance race, although it's a very tough allowance race. It could be a stake, really.”

The race also features Grade II winner Gun Song (Gun Runner), runner-up to Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in last fall's GI Cotillion Stakes.

Just F Y I most recently went five furlongs in 1:02.60 (4/6) March 2.

“She's done well,” Mott said. “We've got some decent works in her but she's been away a long time, so we just need to get her started.”

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