As the Lexington sky began to turn dark over Keenland Race Course early Saturday evening, the Halloween festivities had begun.
In the over-crowded Winner’s Circle after the final race of the 43rd Breeders’ Cup, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott morphed into his costume- a Rock Star.
After the decisive 1 ¾-length race victory by his star 4-year-old colt- SOVEREIGNTY in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), it seemed like everyone wanted a piece of Mr. Mott.
People he didn’t know wanted a picture. A hug. A smile. A high-five. A couple of kisses on the cheek.
Mott accepted them all as he waded through the crowd with his wife Tina on his way to a post-race press conference.
As he walked, Mott, who won his third Breeders’ Cup Classic following CIGAR (1995) and DROSSELMEYER (2010), talked as if the weight of the world was finally lifted off his shoulders.
For the last 43 days, ever since SOVEREIGNITY had to miss the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park, there had been whispers from the naysayers that perhaps the big horse wasn’t as good as he used to be because a foot abscess had slowed him down, and he might not even make the Classic, the disbelievers said.
“You know what? This is a relief because I know how good the horse is,” Mott said as he plowed his way up the Keeneland tunnel, stopping to pose for another snapshot. “This was big today because there were some doubters. I think we proved our position. We proved what we needed to prove.”
Ridden by his regular jockey Junior Alvarado, SOVEREIGNITY took over with his trademark sweeping move into the stretch and went past the pacesetter – and stablemate – KNIGHTSBRIDGE and got stronger with each step.
At the end, with the crowd howling, SOVEREIGNITY, who went off at 9-5, was not going to be threatened. THE PUMA, one of three 3-year-olds in the seven-horse field, rallied for 2nd and was a half-length in front of KNIGHTSBRIDGE.
SOVEREIGNITY completed the 1 ¼-miles in 2:00.36 and paid $5.94, $4.16 and $2.94.
With the victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, SOVEREIGNITY is officially retired. For his career he had eight wins in 13 starts.
“Bittersweet,” Alvarado said with a laugh. “I can’t believe they’re going to retire him after this performance. He doesn’t owe us anything and he’s got his next career. I’m very glad we ended his carer the way we did today.”
