The Incredivolt and Riley Mott are in the spotlight

Photograph: Churchill Downs/Curtis Cody

That is the second installment of our weekly characteristic. horse racing nation It tracks the Kentucky Derby horses at Churchill Downs by way of the primary Saturday in Could.

At Churchill Downs final fall, Sovereignty delivered a robust late kick to win the Grade 3 Avenue Sense Stakes (G3). It was a win that will make trainers dream. kentucky derby.

Skilled by Invoice Mott, Avenue Sense was the third and ultimate race of Sovereignty’s juvenile season. Into Mischief spent the winter in South Florida in preparation for the 2025 Kentucky Derby.

In what was a magical 12 months for Sovereignty and all these concerned, he not solely gained the Rose for the Run, but in addition gained the Belmont Stakes and the Travers Stakes (G1) in what was certain to be a championship-winning sophomore season.

This fall, in the identical Avenue Sense Stakes, unbelievable bolt We achieved a shocking victory from the again of the group. Owned by Pin Oak Stud and skilled by Riley Mott, the son of Borto d’Oro put in a efficiency that will make Kentucky Derby goals come true.

Additionally, Incredibold, making his third and ultimate begin of the 2-year-old season at Avenue Sense, will comply with a well-known path again to Churchill Downs on the primary Saturday in Could.

Straight taken from his Corridor of Fame father’s playbook, the youthful Mott winters his Kentucky Derby hopefuls in South Florida, giving them time to develop earlier than the spring of their 3-year-old season.

“He is doing very effectively,” Mott stated. “He was on a scheduled working vacation in Pin Oak after Avenue Sense and arrived on the Palm Meadows base in early December.”

Incredibold, a $75,000 yearling, began his profession by ending fourth in his first race at Ellis Park. On an unlimited discipline, Darkish Bay confirmed loads of promise in his debut race in late August. It was nearly precisely the identical as when Sovereignty completed fourth in his Saratoga debut nearly precisely a 12 months in the past.

Like Sovereignty, Incredivolt stretched out to a mile in his second profession begin, ending two lengths forward beneath Churchill Downs’ well-known twin towers. His first win on September twenty eighth ready him completely for his stakes debut on Avenue Sense 4 weeks later.

Ted Nophy has been the toast of the 2-year-old class thus far, however Incredibold has two wins at Churchill Downs’ residence observe. Superior Once more’s mare Sapphire Spitfire, a significant prize winner, additionally has an excellent affect on distance all through her pedigree.

Though the 2026 Kentucky Derby is lower than 20 weeks away, Mott is in no hurry to get the promising stallion again into the race. However he additionally has an preliminary plan in thoughts to remain in form and prepared when the large recreation occurs.

“He’ll get a simple first wind this week. Remaining versatile and open-minded, our first thought is to benefit from the South Florida prep sequence to get to Could 2nd. Our present aim is a 1/31 Holy Bull,” Mott stated.

It could be an excellent story for father and son to win the Kentucky Derby for the second 12 months in a row, and Sovereignty may have a really huge accountability after every part they achieved in 2025.

Nonetheless, Incredibold offers each indication that he’s a top quality stallion to be evaluated over all 10 furlongs of the Spring Basic. Because the calendar turns in the direction of the brand new 12 months, the Riley Mott-trained stallion is on the shortlist of potential candidates for the primary Saturday in Could.

The present main contenders within the Kentucky Derby is not going to be energetic till the tip of the 12 months, however a three-point race shall be held this week.

The All Japan Nisai Yushun opens in Japan on Wednesday, adopted by Gun Runner on the Fairgrounds and Springboard Mile at Remington Park on Saturday.

Final Saturday, Litmus Take a look at returned from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and superior his Derby eligibility with a strong victory within the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). This was coach Bob Baffert’s fifteenth win.

Comply with the Kentucky Derby 2026 favorites right here each week.