The road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby took a dramatic turn at Gulfstream Park on Saturday as Sovereignty staged a thrilling last-to-first rally to capture the 79th running of the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes. The Godolphin homebred son of Into Mischief cemented himself as a legitimate contender for the Triple Crown campaign, earning 50 qualifying points toward the May 3 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Making his three-year-old debut, Sovereignty ($8.40) overcame a slow start and a compact but competitive six-horse field to edge out previously undefeated River Thames in the final strides. Under a masterful ride by Junior Alvarado, the colt surged in deep stretch to score a neck victory, stopping the clock in 1:43.12 for the 1 1/16 miles.
At the break, Neoequos, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., was sent hard to the front, engaging early leader River Thames and setting a swift pace of 23.12 and 47.07 seconds through the opening fractions. Meanwhile, Sovereignty was reserved at the back of the pack, trailing his five rivals while biding his time under Alvarado.
As the field navigated the far turn, Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez urged River Thames, a son of Maclean’s Music, to challenge Neoequos. The pair battled at the top of the stretch, while 9-5 favorite Burnham Square, winner of the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes, failed to fire.
With a three-wide move, Sovereignty unleashed his powerful stride, looming boldly past the struggling Burnham Square before reeling in River Thames in the final yards. Despite River Thames changing leads and taking control in mid-stretch, he could not hold off the fast-closing Sovereignty, who surged past him just before the wire.
Sovereignty, who broke his maiden in his third career start with a victory in the Grade 3 Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs on October 27, has now won back-to-back graded stakes. His Fountain of Youth triumph also provided Alvarado with his second career win in the race, following Mohaymen’s victory in 2016.
Trainer Bill Mott expressed high hopes for Sovereignty’s progression, pointing to the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 29 at Gulfstream Park as a likely next target on the road to Churchill Downs.
Runner-up River Thames, the 2-1 second choice, impressed in his stakes debut, finishing 2 1/2 lengths clear of third-place Neoequos. Burnham Square, the beaten favorite, finished fourth after failing to mount a serious challenge.
With 50 Derby points, Sovereignty is now virtually guaranteed a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. The Florida Derby could serve as his final prep race, where he will face tougher competition in a bid to solidify his status as a top Derby contender.
As the Triple Crown trail heats up, Sovereignty’s explosive finishing kick and growing maturity make him a serious force in the three-year-old division. If his Fountain of Youth performance is any indication, the Run for the Roses may have found a new star in the making.
