Overview

• Post positions are set: Sovereignty breaks from post 4 as the 2-5 morning-line choice for the $1.25 million Grade 1 on Aug. 23 at Saratoga.
• The lineup numbers five starters — Magnitude (post 1, 2-1), Bracket Buster (2, 20-1), Strategic Focus (3, 6-1), Sovereignty (4), and McAfee (5, 20-1) — after several notable 3-year-olds chose other targets.
• Bill Mott said a five-furlong work in 1:01.82 at Saratoga went to plan and that Sovereignty “should be ready” and “should be fit.”
• Chad Brown, who runs Strategic Focus, said, “If Sovereignty runs his race, everyone is going to be running for second,” though he still plans to take a shot.
• NYRA’s announcement of only five entrants on X drew criticism from fans who lamented the small Grade 1 field.