Sovereignty ‘Moving Well’ for Saturday’s $1 Million Curlin Florida Derby
At 0h03, on March 27, 2025 • By Gulfstream Park
Godolphin LLC’s Sovereignty, who made a strong impression while winning his 2025 debut in the March 1 Coolmore Fountain of Youth (G2), will seek to solidify his standing as a top contender for the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) in Saturday’s $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.
The 74th running of the tradition-rich Curlin Florida Derby will headline a 14-race program with 10 stakes, five graded, worth $2.62 million in purses. First-race post time is set for 11:30 a.m.
Sovereignty has been installed as the 8-5 morning-line favorite in a field of 10 3-year-olds assembled for the 1 1/8-mile prep on the Road to the Triple Crown. The Curlin Florida Derby will offer Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale to the first five finishers, respectively.
Sovereignty has pleased Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott with his preparation for the Curlin Florida Derby.
“He looks great. He’s been moving well, and his works have been good,” Mott said. “We’re pleased with him going into it. Up until this point everything has been going good.”
Unfortunately, Junior Alvarado, who has been aboard the Godolphin star in all four of his races, will not be aboard Saturday after sustaining a fractured shoulder blade in a mishap Sunday. New York-based Manny Franco will fill in for Alvarado Saturday. Franco, who is currently atop the Aqueduct jockey standings, and Mott have teamed up on a very limited basis in New York.
“I can rarely get him. He’s never been easy to get to ride, but I think he won a couple of Grade 1s for us on Channel Maker,” said Mott, who gave Franco a leg up for back-to-back victories in the 2020 Sword Dancer (G1) at Saratoga and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) at Belmont. “He’s done well with the ones he’s ridden for us.”
Sovereignty settled in the back of the six-horse Fountain of Youth field before making a four-wide sweep into the stretch and overtaking previously undefeated River Thames near the wire to prevail by a neck.
The son of Into Mischief drew the far-outside No. 10 post position for his return in the Curlin Florida Derby.
