Del Mar Race 9 - Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Stakes (G1)
SOVEREIGNTY (6) returns today and is on a run of four straight wins, the latest over 2012m at Saratoga on August 23. Has a strong association with Junior Alvarado who has been in the saddle for his last four wins. Bold showing expected. FIERCENESS (1) finished off last campaign with a win over 2012m in the G1 Pacific Classic Stakes at this track (Dirt). Has a very good first-up record and proved too good first up last prep, is among the better hopes. SIERRA LEONE (7) is a five-time winner who has been racing well, beaten 1.5 lengths into second last time out over 2012m at Saratoga. Sure to figure prominently. FOREVER YOUNG (5) did well to score by 2.5 lengths first-up in a weaker race last start over 1800m at Funabashi. Second-up record is strong and must be included.

Jockey: John Velazquez
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Entire returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation post a big 3 len win. This track G1 Pacific Classic Stakes August 30 over 2012m defeating Journalism with 56kg at $2.60. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.5 len Churchill Downs G2 Alysheba Stakes May 2 over 1710m defeating Most Wanted with 53.5kg at $1.94.
Last Starts 60 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 30/08/2025 | 28 | G1 OPEN 3U | $1,550,388.00 | Del Mar | 2012m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 56kg | 2:01.00 | 5-1-1 | 1 |
| 3.3L | $2.60 |
| 5/9 | 02/08/2025 | 56 | G1 OPEN 4U | $1,550,388.00 | Saratoga | 1811m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 56kg | 1:48.92 | 1-3-5 | 8 |
| 5.8L | $2.20 |
| 2/5 | 07/06/2025 | 36 | G1 OPEN 3U | $1,555,210.00 | Saratoga | 1609m | SP | John R Velazquez | 56.5kg | 1:35.89 | 2-2-2 | 1 |
| 2.5L | $1.75 |
| 1/6 | 02/05/2025 | 181 | G2 OPEN 4U | $1,171,875.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 53.5kg | 1:40.66 | 4-1-1 | 4 |
| 1.5L | $1.94 |
| 2/14 | 02/11/2024 | 70 | G1 OPEN 3U | $10,654,490.00 | Del Mar | 2012m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 55.5kg | 2:00.78 | 3-2-2 | 9 |
| 1.5L | $3.80 |
| 1/8 | 24/08/2024 | 28 | G1 OPEN 3 | $1,920,123.00 | Saratoga | 2012m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 57kg | 2:01.79 | 4-1-1 | 8 |
| 0.1L | $4.90 |

Jockey: Hector Berrios
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 42 day let-up. Last start won by 2.25 len at Parx G1 Pennsylvania Derby September 20 over 1811m defeating Magnitude with 54.5kg at $2.40. The run before that 2nd in a small field at Saratoga in the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes on July 26 over 1811m, 1.0 len behind Sovereignty carrying 54.5kg at $4.10.
Last Starts 39 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | 20/09/2025 | 56 | G1 OPEN 3 | $1,529,052.00 | Parx | 1811m | Fast | Hector Isaac Berrios | 54.5kg | 1:48.03 | 9-1-1 | 8 |
| 2.3L | $2.40 |
| 2/5 | 26/07/2025 | 49 | G2 OPEN 3 | $764,526.00 | Saratoga | 1811m | Fast | Hector Isaac Berrios | 54.5kg | 1:49.52 | 3-2-2 | 1 |
| 1.0L | $4.10 |
| 3/8 | 07/06/2025 | 35 | G1 OPEN 3 | $3,110,420.00 | Saratoga | 2012m | Good | Flavien Prat | 57kg | 2:00.69 | 6-4-3 | 6 |
| 6.5L | $4.50 |
| 3/19 | 03/05/2025 | 28 | G1 OPEN 3 | $7,812,500.00 | Churchill Downs | 2012m | SP | Flavien Prat | 57kg | 2:02.31 | 14-4-3 | 19 |
| 1.8L | $14.86 |
| 2/5 | 05/04/2025 | 50 | G1 OPEN 3 | $798,722.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1811m | Fast | Hector Isaac Berrios | 56kg | 1:49.56 | 5-1-2 | 5 |
| 0.8L | $15.30 |
| 1/6 | 14/02/2025 | 41 | MDN 3 | $96,618.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1609m | Fast | Hector Isaac Berrios | 55kg | 1:37.84 | 6-1-1 | 5 |
| 4.8L | $3.20 |

Jockey: Mike Smith
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up. First-up after three months ran on from midfield and won by 1.5 len at Santa Anita G1 Awesome Again September 27 over 1811m defeating Full Serrano carrying 54.5kg at $9.50. Previously second-up 2nd in a small field at Santa Anita in LR on June 8 over 1710m, 1.75 len behind Gaming with 54.5kg at $1.60.
Last Starts 32 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 27/09/2025 | 91 | G1 OPEN 3U | $458,716.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1811m | Fast | Mike E Smith | 54.5kg | 1:48.43 | 3-1-1 | 4 |
| 1.5L | $9.50 |
| 1/4 | 28/06/2025 | 20 | LR OPEN 3 | $155,521.00 | Los Alamitos | 1811m | Fast | J J Hernandez | 54kg | 1:47.59 | 2-1-1 | 4 |
| 4.3L | $1.40 |
| 2/4 | 08/06/2025 | 50 | LR OPEN 3 | $155,521.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1710m | Fast | J J Hernandez | 54.5kg | 1:41.92 | 4-3-2 | 1 |
| 1.8L | $1.60 |
| 1/6 | 19/04/2025 | - | MDN 35 | $95,847.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1609m | Fast | J J Hernandez | 53.5kg | 1:37.07 | 4-2-1 | 1 |
| 0.8L | $2.70 |

Jockey: Florent Geroux
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 62 day let-up. At the latest run 6th of 8 at Saratoga in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes on August 31 over 2012m, 12 len behind Antiquarian with 57kg at $71.25. The run before that ran last of 9 at Saratoga in the G1 Whitney Handicap on August 2 over 1811m, 68 len behind Sierra Leone with 54.5kg at $71.75.
Last Starts 59 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/8 | 31/08/2025 | 29 | G1 OPEN 3U | $1,550,388.00 | Saratoga | 2012m | Fast | Dylan Davis | 57kg | 2:02.16 | 1-5-6 | 6 |
| 12.9L | $71.25 |
| 9/9 | 02/08/2025 | 34 | G1 OPEN 4U | $1,550,388.00 | Saratoga | 1811m | Fast | Dylan Davis | 54.5kg | 1:48.92 | 7-9-9 | 7 |
| 68.0L | $71.75 |
| 1/5 | 29/06/2025 | 67 | ALLOW 3U | $136,858.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1609m | Fast | Dylan Davis | 56kg | 1:35.22 | 3-1-1 | 4 |
| 3.8L | $10.60 |
| 4/5 | 23/04/2025 | 38 | ALLOW 4U | $130,990.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | Dylan Davis | 55kg | 1:10.13 | 5-4-4 | 3 |
| 2.5L | $3.95 |
| 6/8 | 16/03/2025 | 282 | ALLOW 4U | $131,621.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1308m | Fast | Jose Lezcano | 55kg | 1:18.21 | 8-5-6 | 5 |
| 5.6L | $4.45 |
| 5/8 | 07/06/2024 | 48 | ALLOW 3U | $166,163.00 | Saratoga | 1308m | Fast | Javier Castellano | 56.5kg | 1:14.96 | 6-4-5 | 8 |
| 9.9L | $5.80 |

Jockey: Ryusei Sakai
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Second run back. First-up after six months favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 2.5 len at Funabashi October 1 over 1800m defeating Revontulet with 58kg at $1.10. Previously second-up 3rd of 14 at this track in the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic on November 2 over 2012m, 2.75 len behind Sierra Leone with 55.5kg at $5.10.
Last Starts 28 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | 01/10/2025 | 179 | COND 3U | $686,856.00 | Funabashi | 1800m | Good | Ryusei Sakai | 58kg | 1:52.20 | 5-3-1 | 7 |
| 2.5L | $1.10 |
| 3/11 | 05/04/2025 | 42 | G1 OPEN 4U | $5,217,391.00 | Meydan | 2000m | Fast | Ryusei Sakai | 57kg | 2:03.50 | - | 5 |
| 2.0L | $1.30 |
| 1/14 | 22/02/2025 | 55 | SAUG1 CUP 4U | $8,583,691.00 | Riyadh Dirt | 1800m | Fast | Ryusei Sakai | 57kg | 1:49.10 | - | 14 |
| 0.3L | $2.37 |
| 1/10 | 29/12/2024 | 57 | G1 COND 3U | $1,693,871.00 | Tokyo City Keiba | 2000m | Fast | Ryusei Sakai | 56kg | 2:04.90 | 2-2-1 | 4 |
| 1.8L | $1.30 |
| 3/14 | 02/11/2024 | 31 | G1 OPEN 3U | $10,654,490.00 | Del Mar | 2012m | Fast | Ryusei Sakai | 55.5kg | 2:00.78 | 4-4-3 | 1 |
| 2.8L | $5.10 |
| 1/15 | 02/10/2024 | 151 | COND 3 | $1,168,437.00 | Tokyo City Keiba | 2000m | Fast | Ryusei Sakai | 57kg | 2:04.10 | 2-2-1 | 1 |
| 1.3L | $1.70 |

Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of ten weeks. Finished off last campaign post a big 10 len win. Saratoga G1 Travers Stakes August 23 over 2012m defeating Bracket Buster carrying 57kg at $1.30. Previous preparation first-up won by 0.3 len Gulfstream Park G2 Fountain of Youth Stakes March 1 over 1710m defeating River Thames with 56kg at $4.20.
Last Starts 67 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/5 | 23/08/2025 | 28 | G1 OPEN 3 | $1,937,984.00 | Saratoga | 2012m | Fast | Junior Alvarado | 57kg | 2:00.84 | 5-1-1 | 4 |
| 10.0L | $1.30 |
| 1/5 | 26/07/2025 | 49 | G2 OPEN 3 | $764,526.00 | Saratoga | 1811m | Fast | Junior Alvarado | 56kg | 1:49.52 | 2-1-1 | 5 |
| 1.0L | $1.50 |
| 1/8 | 07/06/2025 | 35 | G1 OPEN 3 | $3,110,420.00 | Saratoga | 2012m | Good | Junior Alvarado | 57kg | 2:00.69 | 2-2-1 | 2 |
| 3.0L | $3.50 |
| 1/19 | 03/05/2025 | 35 | G1 OPEN 3 | $7,812,500.00 | Churchill Downs | 2012m | SP | Junior Alvarado | 57kg | 2:02.31 | 16-1-1 | 16 |
| 1.5L | $8.98 |
| 2/10 | 29/03/2025 | 28 | G1 OPEN 3 | $1,584,786.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1811m | Fast | Manuel Franco | 55.5kg | 1:49.27 | 8-4-2 | 10 |
| 1.3L | $2.70 |
| 1/6 | 01/03/2025 | 125 | G2 OPEN 3 | $666,132.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1710m | Fast | Junior Alvarado | 56kg | 1:43.12 | 3-3-1 | 2 |
| 0.3L | $4.20 |

Jockey: Flavien Prat
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Racing well recently. Returns from a 62-day let-up. Last start 2nd of 8 at Saratoga in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes on August 31 over 2012m, 1.5 len behind Antiquarian with 57kg at $2.15. The start before that won by 1.0 len at Saratoga G1 Whitney Handicap August 2 over 1811m defeating Highland Falls with 56kg at $2.95.
Last Starts 59 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/8 | 31/08/2025 | 29 | G1 OPEN 3U | $1,550,388.00 | Saratoga | 2012m | Fast | Flavien Prat | 57kg | 2:02.16 | 7-3-2 | 3 |
| 1.5L | $2.15 |
| 1/9 | 02/08/2025 | 35 | G1 OPEN 4U | $1,550,388.00 | Saratoga | 1811m | Fast | Flavien Prat | 56kg | 1:48.92 | 9-1-1 | 4 |
| 1.0L | $2.95 |
| 2/6 | 28/06/2025 | 98 | G1 OPEN 4U | $1,555,210.00 | Churchill Downs | 1811m | Fast | Flavien Prat | 56kg | 1:47.48 | 6-4-2 | 3 |
| 1.0L | $3.06 |
| 3/5 | 22/03/2025 | 140 | G2 OPEN 4U | $792,393.00 | Fairgrounds | 1811m | Fast | Flavien Prat | 55.5kg | 1:48.10 | 3-3-3 | 4 |
| 4.5L | $1.30 |
| 1/14 | 02/11/2024 | 70 | G1 OPEN 3U | $10,654,490.00 | Del Mar | 2012m | Fast | Flavien Prat | 55.5kg | 2:00.78 | 11-1-1 | 11 |
| 1.5L | $7.90 |
| 3/8 | 24/08/2024 | 28 | G1 OPEN 3 | $1,920,123.00 | Saratoga | 2012m | Fast | Flavien Prat | 57kg | 2:01.79 | 6-3-3 | 2 |
| 1.9L | $2.75 |

Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up. Comes off a 62-day let-up. First-up after two months didn't finish the race at Saratoga in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes August 31 over 2012m. Previously second-up ran on from midfield and won by 1.0 len at Churchill Downs G1 Stephen Foster Stakes June 28 over 1811m defeating Sierra Leone carrying 56kg at $2.88.
Last Starts 59 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0/8 | 31/08/2025 | 64 | G1 OPEN 3U | $1,550,388.00 | Saratoga | 2012m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 57kg | 2:02.16 | 8-8-LR | 4 |
| 99.0L | $2.80 |
| 1/6 | 28/06/2025 | 56 | G1 OPEN 4U | $1,555,210.00 | Churchill Downs | 1811m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 56kg | 1:47.48 | 3-1-1 | 2 |
| 1.0L | $2.88 |
| 1/11 | 03/05/2025 | 63 | G1 OPEN 4U | $1,562,500.00 | Churchill Downs | 1408m | SP | I Ortiz Jr | 56kg | 1:22.64 | 1-7-1 | 7 |
| 0.3L | $4.54 |
| 1/8 | 01/03/2025 | 224 | G2 OPEN 4U | $345,104.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1609m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 53.5kg | 1:36.25 | 1-1-1 | 1 |
| 1.3L | $1.10 |
| 2/7 | 20/07/2024 | 42 | G1 OPEN 3 | $1,511,278.00 | Monmouth Park | 1811m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 54kg | 1:50.31 | 6-1-2 | 6 |
| 1.3L | $1.80 |
| 2/10 | 08/06/2024 | 35 | G1 OPEN 3 | $3,021,148.00 | Saratoga | 2012m | Fast | I Ortiz Jr | 57kg | 2:01.64 | 4-1-2 | 10 |
| 0.5L | $6.00 |

Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a break of nine weeks. Finished off last campaign second of 7 at this track in the G1 Pacific Classic Stakes August 30 over 2012m, 3 len behind Fierceness with 53.5kg at $1.40. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.75 len Santa Anita G2 San Felipe Stakes March 1 over 1710m defeating Barnes with 56kg at $4.10.
Last Starts 60 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/7 | 30/08/2025 | 42 | G1 OPEN 3U | $1,550,388.00 | Del Mar | 2012m | Fast | Umberto Rispoli | 53.5kg | 2:01.00 | 7-2-2 | 5 |
| 3.3L | $1.40 |
| 1/8 | 19/07/2025 | 42 | G1 OPEN 3 | $1,555,810.00 | Monmouth Park | 1811m | Fast | Umberto Rispoli | 55.5kg | 1:48.15 | 7-3-1 | 2 |
| 0.5L | $1.40 |
| 2/8 | 07/06/2025 | 21 | G1 OPEN 3 | $3,110,420.00 | Saratoga | 2012m | Good | Umberto Rispoli | 57kg | 2:00.69 | 5-1-2 | 7 |
| 3.0L | $3.05 |
| 1/9 | 17/05/2025 | 14 | G1 OPEN 3 | $3,125,000.00 | Pimlico | 1911m | Fast | Umberto Rispoli | 57kg | 1:55.47 | 4-3-1 | 2 |
| 0.5L | $2.00 |
| 2/19 | 03/05/2025 | 28 | G1 OPEN 3 | $7,812,500.00 | Churchill Downs | 2012m | SP | Umberto Rispoli | 57kg | 2:02.31 | 10-2-2 | 7 |
| 1.5L | $4.42 |
| 1/5 | 05/04/2025 | 35 | G1 OPEN 3 | $798,722.00 | Santa Anita Park | 1811m | Fast | Umberto Rispoli | 56kg | 1:49.56 | 3-2-1 | 1 |
| 0.8L | $2.00 |

Jockey: Luis Saez
Weight: 57kgs
Stats
Comments
Racing well recently. Comes off a 62 day let-up. At the latest run came from midfield and won by 1.5 len at Saratoga G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes August 31 over 2012m defeating Sierra Leone with 57kg at $14. Before that raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 7 at Saratoga in the G2 Suburban Stakes on July 4 over 2012m, nose behind Phileas Fogg with 55.5kg at $3.90.
Last Starts 59 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 31/08/2025 | 58 | G1 OPEN 3U | $1,550,388.00 | Saratoga | 2012m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 57kg | 2:02.16 | 4-2-1 | 8 |
| 1.5L | $14.00 |
| 2/7 | 04/07/2025 | 34 | G2 OPEN 4U | $611,621.00 | Saratoga | 2012m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 55.5kg | 2:02.97 | 2-2-2 | 6 |
| 0.1L | $3.90 |
| 2/7 | 31/05/2025 | 42 | G3 OPEN 4U | $429,688.00 | Churchill Downs | 1811m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 53.5kg | 1:48.45 | 4-3-2 | 2 |
| 1.3L | $10.34 |
| 1/6 | 19/04/2025 | 315 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $91,054.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1408m | Fast | Edgard J Zayas | 54.5kg | 1:22.96 | 3-1-1 | 5 |
| 2.5L | $1.70 |
| 5/10 | 08/06/2024 | 28 | G1 OPEN 3 | $3,021,148.00 | Saratoga | 2012m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 57kg | 2:01.64 | 6-5-5 | 5 |
| 7.5L | $13.60 |
| 1/6 | 11/05/2024 | 49 | G3 OPEN 3 | $305,810.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1811m | Fast | John R Velazquez | 53.5kg | 1:48.99 | 4-3-1 | 4 |
| 0.8L | $6.90 |