Derby Victor Sovereignty ‘Off The Van Like A Tiger’ At The Spa

[Wandering Eyes]

GI Kentucky Derby victor Sovereignty (Into Mischief) arrived early Thursday morning at Saratoga Race Course to begin his preparations for the GI Belmont Stakes June 7.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott for owner/breeder Godolphin, the bay shipped from Churchill Downs and arrived around 7:30 a.m. ET to the barn of the veteran conditioner, along with recent Churchill runners 'TDN Rising Star' Scylla (Tapit) and Resilience (Into Mischief).

“He came off the van like a tiger,” said Mott. “He's had good energy for a horse that just ran a race like that.”

Mott added he will “see how he acts once he settles down” and decide from there what his exercise routine will be at the Spa. It was reported on Tuesday that Sovereignty would skip the GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course May 17 and target the Belmont Stakes–held at Mott's home base where he stables his top horses from April through November each year.

“We feel pretty comfortable here and know our way around here, so that's a good thing,” Mott said.

The @KentuckyDerby champ is in town!

Sovereignty arrived at Saratoga early this morning to kick off preparations for the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes presented by @NYRABets on June 7th! pic.twitter.com/TZe2FpRLhA

— Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) May 8, 2025

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