Fever Opens ‘Possibility’ Sovereignty Misses BC Classic
Trainer Bill Mott said there is a “possibility” Sovereignty will miss the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) after the colt registered a “mild fever” Oct. 27.
Mott said Sovereignty has been given medication, but if the son of Into Mischief’s temperature becomes elevated again he will not race.
“If we don’t feel like he’s 100% he’s not going to run,” Mott told FanDuel TV.
The trainer said he’s not sure what caused Sovereignty to spike a fever and noted that the colt left a barn that had no issues and went into a barn at Del Mar that previously did not house other horses.
“There’s no way to prevent this,” he said.
As of Tuesday morning, Sovereignty’s temperature is at a normal level, according to Mott. If there was any sign of encouragement it is that the winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) is eating as well as he has all year.
“He’s eating everything. He looks fine. … He’s eating all his grain. He’s not missed an oat. He has not missed any feed all year long, I can say that. And last night and this morning was no exception.”
Mott said he would like to give himself “10% wiggle room to monitor” his star athlete, who would enter the race the favorite for Horse of the Year. Sovereignty is the 6/5 morning-line favorite for the Classic.
“We’re going to reevaluate every day, and probably several times every day,” Mott said.
