Historic Victory Aimed by Sovereignty at Saratoga Race for Jockey Mott's Triumph in Record Books
Sovereignty Aims to Make History in the DraftKings Travers Stakes
The 156th edition of the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course will feature a star-studded lineup, with Sovereignty, an Into Mischief colt, aiming to make history. Trained by Bill Mott, Sovereignty has already made a name for himself by sweeping the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and most recently the Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga.
Mott, a Hall of Fame trainer, earned his first Travers Stakes victory in 2025 with Sovereignty, a horse who made history by sweeping the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Jim Dandy Stakes, and Travers Stakes all in the same year[1][2]. Before this breakthrough, Mott had made 12 prior Travers Stakes attempts with 13 horses, but his best results were only three third-place finishes—he never won or placed second in the race until Sovereignty’s triumph[3].
Sovereignty's win in the Jim Dandy was achieved after overcoming a tricky trip, rallying wide to edge Baeza by a length in 1:49.52. Junior Alvarado will ride Sovereignty in the DraftKings Travers Stakes, breaking from post 4 as the heavy 2-5 morning-line favorite. A victory with Sovereignty in the Travers Stakes would end Mott's 13-race drought without a win in the Travers and etch the colt's name among the all-time greats.
Another contender to watch is Magnitude, a speedy front-runner trained by Steve Asmussen. Magnitude has won two Grade 2 races this year, including the Risen Star and Iowa Derby, and is considered the likely pacesetter. Asmussen seeks his second Travers win after winning with Epicenter in 2022.
Chad Brown trains Strategic Focus, a lightly raced and improving horse. Strategic Focus will wear blinkers in hopes of keeping him focused late. Brown aims to win his first Travers with Strategic Focus. Rick Dutrow Jr. trains McAfee, a half-brother to champion filly Thorpedo Anna.
The 14-race card featuring five Grade 1 races, including three Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" qualifiers, will headline the Travers Stakes. The Travers Stakes will be broadcast on FS2 at noon, with FOX covering the stakes action beginning at 3:00 p.m. First post for the Travers Stakes is at 11:10 a.m. ET, with gates opening at 9:00 a.m. at Saratoga Race Course.
[1] Travers Stakes History: Bill Mott's First Win After 13 Attempts
[2] Sovereignty Wins the Travers Stakes in Record Time
[3] A Look Back at Bill Mott's Travers Stakes History
