The biggest story dominating the racing world today is the withdrawal of Sovereignty from the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Travers winner—widely considered the likely Horse of the Year—has been scratched from the marquee race after developing a mild fever during the lead-up to the championship event at Del Mar. This decision eliminates the race’s consensus favorite and dramatically reshapes the Classic field just hours before the weekend begins. Meanwhile, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile features a compelling group of two-year-olds led by impressive prospects like Ted Noffey and Brant, setting the stage for what promises to be an eventful championship weekend.
Sovereignty Withdrawn from Breeders’ Cup Classic
In a shocking development that has sent shockwaves through the racing community, Sovereignty has been scratched from the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Trainer Bill Mott made the announcement after the champion developed a mild fever, forcing the connections to make the difficult decision to protect the horse’s health despite his status as the race’s heavy favorite.
Mott indicated that while the fever is mild and asymptomatic—to the point where observers might not notice anything wrong with Sovereignty externally—the decision to scratch was made out of an abundance of caution. The timing of the illness, combined with Sovereignty’s long journey to California, may have contributed to the horse’s condition. Racing officials noted that the fever came shortly before the drawing for the race, at a point when uncertainty already surrounded whether the champion would ultimately compete.
Sovereignty’s withdrawal represents a significant blow to what was shaping up to be the most anticipated race of the weekend. The three-year-old colt has been nothing short of dominant this season, capturing some of the most prestigious races on the racing calendar and establishing himself as a generational talent. His absence opens up the Classic field considerably, creating opportunities for other contenders to claim what would be a career-defining victory.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Field Takes Shape
The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, the two-million-dollar signature race on Friday’s card, features a deep and competitive group of juvenile colts bidding for one of the sport’s most prestigious prizes. The field showcases several accomplished runners with distinct credentials and different paths to this championship event.
Ted Noffey has emerged as the morning-line favorite at 4-to-5 odds, entering the race off back-to-back Grade 1 victories by a combined margin of 11 and one-quarter lengths. The flashy gray colt by leading sire Into Mischief looks primed to improve to 4-for-4 under the guidance of trainer Todd Pletcher, who would earn his fifth Breeders’ Cup Juvenile win with another victory. Jockey John Velazquez will have the mount on the speed-favoring colt.
Brant, a three-million-dollar purchase at auction and a Gun Runner colt trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, improved to 2-for-2 with a commanding win in the seven-furlong Del Mar Futurity. The colt will stretch out to the Juvenile’s mile distance for the first time under jockey Flavien Prat. Baffert is seeking his record-extending seventh Juvenile victory.
Blackout Time ships in off a runner-up finish to Ted Noffey in the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity and will be piloted by five-time Eclipse Award-winner Irad Ortiz Jr. under trainer Ken McPeek. The connection between horse and rider has proven successful, and the colt has improved in every start this season.
Intrepido, at 8-to-1 morning odds, recently rallied from fourth to earn an impressive win in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes and boasts a perfect 2-for-2 record at distances of one mile or longer. Mr. A. P., at 30-to-1, represents an intriguing longshot possibility, looking to follow in the hoofsteps of previous Juvenile winners Action This Day and New Year’s Day, both of whom entered the race off maiden wins. Litmus Test rounds out the favorites for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, while Civil Liberty was scratched due to a minor tendon injury.
Racing Continues Nationwide
Beyond the Breeders’ Cup preparations dominating headlines, racing continues at tracks across the country. Churchill Downs hosted its ninth race Wednesday as the featured Race of the Day, with expert analysis providing bettors insight into the competitive matchups.
The racing world remains focused on the championship weekend ahead, with the Breeders’ Cup drawing unprecedented attention as connections make final preparations and announce their entries and scratches in real time.
