Watch: Sovereignty posts final work before return in Jim Dandy

Godolphin’s dual classic-winning homebred Sovereignty posted his final work Saturday in preparation for next Saturday’s Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy, covering a half-mile in 49.82 seconds over Saratoga’s Oklahoma dirt training track.

The son of Into Mischief, who was last seen winning the Belmont Stakes on June 7 at Saratoga, covered the distance solo under regular exercise rider Neil Poznansky in his fourth work since the Belmont.

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“It looked okay. The main thing is Neil thought it was good and he looked like he was moving fine to me,” Mott said. “I guess it’s all about what he feels underneath him, and he thought he felt very similar to before he ran in the last race.”

Mott said he was content to let Sovereignty work alone today after working in company with Jefferson Street the last two weeks.

“I thought he had done enough in his last two works,” Mott said. “We didn’t need him to do any more.”

The Kentucky Derby winner looks to further his case for divisional supremacy in the 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy, where he will face a strong field that is expected to include Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes third-place finisher Baeza and Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Sandman. Sandman was also third in the Preakness.

On Thursday, Mott sent out Frassetto Stables’ sophomore Stars and Stripes to a dominant 7 1/4-length romp here in a nine-furlong allowance against elders, where he swept from seven lengths back in fourth under Jose Lezcano to take the lead in the turn and draw off to victory in a final time of 1:51.22. He was awarded a 90 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form for the effort. He entered that race from a 10 1/2-length graduation on June 15 going the same distance at Belmont at the Big A.

Mott said he was pleased the Not This Time colt delivered such a performance despite incurring a minor issue at the start.

“The impressive thing is he grabbed himself pretty good leaving the gate, too,” Mott said. “I’ve got to wait for that foot to heal up first before we decide (what is next). He gouged himself pretty good.”

A $100,000 purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale, Stars and Stripes is out of the unraced Quality Road mare Pearl River, who also produced Grade 3 winner Waves of Mischief. His second dam, Ain’t She Sweet, is a full sister to multiple graded-stakes-winning millionaires Life Is Sweet and Sweet Catomine.