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last mo.

Sovereignty Scratched as Breeders’ Cup Classic Field Settles at Nine

Bookmakers adjusted prices after wide draws for Aidan O’Brien’s key juveniles on Del Mar’s tight turf.

Mystik Dan, right, wins the Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, on May 4, 2024. Forever Young, with Ryusei Sakai up, center, finished third and Sierra Leone, left, with Tyler Gaffalione up, finished second.
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Overview

  • The $7 million Classic now features nine runners, headed by 5-2 morning-line favorite Fierceness, with Sierra Leone and Forever Young at 7-2 and Journalism at 5-1.
  • Trainer Bill Mott said Sovereignty was withdrawn after a fever returned despite treatment, ruling the Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner out of Saturday’s race.
  • Aidan O’Brien targets a record 21st Breeders’ Cup win with a sizeable team at Del Mar, though juveniles Precise (stall 13) and Gstaad (stall 14) drew the widest posts.
  • William Hill lengthened the odds on Precise and Gstaad following the draw, citing the disadvantage of outside gates on Del Mar’s turf course.
  • The two-day championships comprise 14 Grade 1 races with at least $1 million purses, with Friday’s juveniles led by 4-5 Juvenile favorite Ted Noffey and Precise still prominent in the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf despite her draw.