DEL MAR — The deepest field for the Breeders’ Cup Classic in this century might not be so deep come post time Saturday at Del Mar.
Kentucky Derby, Belmont and Travers winner Sovereignty, the 6-5 morning line favorite, spiked a fever Monday night and his participation for the $7 million Classic is in question.
“As of right now, there’s a possibility that he won’t make the race on Saturday,” trainer Bill Mott told reporters Tuesday morning.
Mott said the colt had a “slightly elevated temperature” through the night and into early Tuesday morning. He was given medication for the fever and at mid-morning, Mott said Sovereignty’s temperature was normal.
Blood samples were drawn and Mott said he was awaiting results but that Sovereignty already was showing signs of improvement.
“He’s eating everything. He looks fine. He seems to be sharp,” Mott said. “If we don’t feel like he’s 100 percent, he’s not going to run. I’d like to give myself 10% wiggle room to monitor him for obviously the next four or five days, but until tomorrow, I think it’s very important what happens throughout the day and overnight.
“If his temperature remains normal … throughout the day and the night, and we look at him tomorrow and he’s still eating and he looks good and the blood work comes back with a positive look to it, we’re going to re-evaluate. We’re going to re-evaluate every day and probably several times every day.”
Sovereignty spent the summer and early fall at Saratoga before flying to Del Mar last week. He has looked strong in training and went through a half-mile workout Monday morning.
The 3-year-old son of Into Mischief has six wins in nine career starts, including consecutive victories in his last four races — the Derby, Belmont, Jim Dandy and Travers. Saturday would be the first time he would face older horses, with the 1-2-3 finishers from last year’s Classic among those entered — Sierra Leone, Fierceness and Forever Young.
