Sovereignty Breezes ‘Right Way’ for G1 Curlin Florida Derby

Tappan Street Turns in ‘Bullet’ Work at Payson Park

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Godolphin LLC’s Sovereignty returned to the Payson Park Thoroughbred Training Center’s work tab Saturday morning, two weeks after his rousing triumph in the $400,000 Coolmore Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the 3-year-old son of Into Mischief breezed five furlongs in 1:01.80 at the Indiantown, FL training center in preparation for a planned start in the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) March 29 at Gulfstream Park. His clocking was the fourth fastest of 12 recorded at the five-furlong distance.

“It was very good. The time was good, and it looked like he did it the right way,” Mott said.

Sovereignty, who captured the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs in his 2024 finale, established himself as one of the leading prospects for this year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) while making his 3-year-old debut in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth March 1. The Godolphin homebred made a sweeping move into the stretch from well off the pace before overtaking River Thames by a neck at the finish. Mott said he was looking forward to Sovereignty returning in the 1 1/8-mile Curlin Florida Derby.

“So far, we’re in good shape. It’s always day to day, but we’re happy with him,” Mott said. “We’re crossing our fingers and hoping everything stays good.”

Also at Payson Park Saturday morning, WinStar Farm LLC, CHC Inc., and Cold Press Racing’s Tappan Street breezed five furlongs in 1:00.80 in preparation for an expected start in the Curlin Florida Derby. The Brad Cox-trained son of Into Mischief, who was credited with the fastest of 12 workouts at five furlongs, is coming off a second-place finish in the Feb. 1 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream. Tappan Street was making only his second career start while making his two-turn and stakes debuts in the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull. The Cox trainee previously debuted with a maiden victory over seven furlongs at Gulfstream Dec. 28.

Other Curlin Florida Derby candidates include Disruptor, a Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher trainee who turned in a dazzling maiden score by 9 ¼ lengths on the Coolmore Fountain of Youth undercard; Neoequos, whom Saffie Joseph Jr. saddled for a third-place finish in the Coolmore Fountain of Youth; Jorge Delgado-trained Cool Intentions, who finished fifth in the Jan.4 Mucho Macho Man following back-to-back victories at Gulfstream; and Smoken Boy, a Grade 1 winner in Puerto Rico.