Power Rankings: Sovereignty Remains on Top Ahead of Breeders’ Cup
Sovereignty continues to dominate the 2025 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Power Rankings following an outstanding season. The Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes victor, trained by Bill Mott for Godolphin and ridden by Junior Alvarado, leads the poll after a commanding 10-length Travers Stakes triumph.
Fierceness, unbeaten in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, holds the second rank, while Sierra Leone, trained by Chad Brown, rounds out the top three after finishing second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga.
| Rank | Horse | Owner | Trainer | Jockey | 2025 Record | Last Race | Next Race |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sovereignty | Godolphin | Bill Mott | Junior Alvarado | 6-5-1-0 | 1st, Travers Stakes (8/23) | Breeders’ Cup Classic (11/1) |
| 2 | Fierceness | Repole Stbl, Smith et al. | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez | 4-2-1-0 | 1st, Pacific Classic (8/30) | Breeders’ Cup Classic (11/1) |
| 3 | Sierra Leone | Brant, Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Westerberg, B. Smith | Chad Brown | Flavien Prat | 4-1-2-1 | 2nd, Jockey Club Gold Cup (8/31) | Breeders’ Cup Classic (11/1) |
| 4 | Mindframe | Repole Stbl, St. Elias Stbl | Todd Pletcher | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 4-3-0-0 | DNF, Jockey Club Gold Cup (8/31) | Breeders’ Cup Classic (11/1) |
| 5 | Journalism | Eclipse Tb Partners et al. | Michael McCarthy | Umberto Rispoli | – | – | Breeders’ Cup Classic (11/1) |
| 8 | Antiquarian | Centennial Farms | Todd Pletcher | TBD | 4-2-2-0 | 1st, Jockey Club GC (8/31) | Breeders’ Cup Classic (11/1) |
| 9 | Locked | Eclipse Tb Partners, Walmac Farm | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez | 5-2-1-1 | 1st, Woodward Stks (9/27) | TBD |
| 10 | Highland Falls | Godolphin | Brad Cox | Luis Saez | 3-1-1-1 | 3rd, Jockey Club GC (8/31) | TBD |
Locked Joins the Elite After Woodward Stakes Victory
Locked surged into the top 10 Breeders’ Cup Classic contenders after a convincing win in the Woodward Stakes at Belmont at the Big A on September 27. The Todd Pletcher trainee, ridden by John Velazquez, delivered an impressive performance and may target either the Classic or the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on November 1 at Del Mar.
International Action: Meydan Trial Races Kick Off October Schedule
Meydan Racecourse hosted its opening trial session for Thoroughbreds today on a fast dirt track, signaling the start of the October racing program in Dubai and laying the groundwork for prospects targeting the Carnival season ahead.
Wednesday’s Handicaps: Too Much Coffee Sees Wide-Open Field
Today’s featured Too Much Coffee Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis gathered a well-matched lineup, with pace scenarios likely to influence the outcome. Three-year-old Chory Blaze attracts attention following a strong second when facing older rivals last out, while Chocolate Moose is pointed to as a possible front-runner. Multiple runners are stretching out in distance, adding intrigue to the day’s top Indiana-bred event.
Juvenile Spotlight: Breeders’ Futurity Looms Large
This weekend’s Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity stands as a major 2-year-old event, offering an early glimpse at potential stars for next year’s Kentucky Derby. The division remains wide open, with several promising juveniles set to make an impact in this pivotal Grade 1 at Keeneland.
