Sovereignty Rules the Travers at Saratoga
The Travers Stakes has long been known as the Midsummer Derby, and in 2025 it produced a performance worthy of the title. On August 23 at Saratoga Race Course, Sovereignty left no doubt about his place at the top of the three-year-old division. Already the winner of the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, he surged clear turning for home and widened his advantage to ten lengths at the wire. His finishing time of 2:00.84 tied as the fifth fastest in the rich history of the Travers.
For trainer Bill Mott, the result marked a long-awaited milestone. He had sent out more than a dozen starters in this race over the years, including champions in other divisions, but never a winner until now. Jockey Junior Alvarado also celebrated his first Travers triumph, guiding the colt with patience before asking for his best at the top of the stretch.
The 2025 edition drew just five entrants, the smallest Travers field in over three decades. The order of finish behind Sovereignty was Bracket Buster in second, Magnitude in third, McAfee in fourth, and Strategic Focus in fifth. The heavy favorite returned $2.60 for a $2 win bet, reflecting the confidence of bettors. Attendance for the day topped 48,000, adding another layer of atmosphere to Saratoga’s signature afternoon.
Sovereignty’s campaign has been remarkable for its precision. After his Derby and Belmont victories, he returned in late July to capture the Jim Dandy Stakes, Saratoga’s local Travers prep. By completing the Jim Dandy–Travers double along with his two classic wins, he became the first horse to sweep all four in the same season. Only four others in history have won the Derby, Belmont, and Travers, and none had added the Jim Dandy until now.
The Travers victory brought Sovereignty’s season earnings to nearly $5.7 million dollars and reinforced his status as the leading candidate for year-end championship honors. His connections are all but certain to point him toward the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on November 1, where he could meet a mix of seasoned older horses and the best of his own generation.
Saratoga has crowned many champions through the Travers, but few have stood out so decisively. Sovereignty’s display of power and consistency placed him in rare company, and with the Breeders’ Cup still ahead, his season is not finished yet.