Into Mischief colt makes dazzling move to win the Fountain of Youth S. (G2)

Sovereignty added his name to a burgeoning list of Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls by Into Mischief after a dramatic last-to-first run in Saturday’s $415,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

Joining the likes of Barnes and Citizen Bull as top 3-year-olds by Into Mischief, Sovereignty picked up an additional 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, upping his total to 60, which is tied with Citizen Bull for second on the list.

Sovereignty broke from post two in the field of six and made his way over to the rail while trailing the field around the first turn and onto the backstretch. Still last after six furlongs, Junior Alvarado guided Sovereignty into the three path to commence his run. He had just River Thames to catch after turning for home. With huge strides inside the final sixteenth, Sovereignty roared past River Thames in the final strides to win by a neck in 1:43.12 for the 1 1/16-miles on a fast track.

“It was a great run,” said winning Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott of Sovereignty’s finishing kick. “He had a good trip. We had a good post inside, saved some ground on the first turn. Fortunately, we didn’t get an outside post and have to be wide on the first turn. He saved some ground, he was able to tip out, and he’s got some acceleration.”

Sovereignty, who had not started since winning the Oct. 27 Street Sense S. (G3) at Churchill Downs by five lengths, is 2-1-0 in four starts and has earned $388,800 for his owner/breeder Godolphin.

The third foal out of the unraced Crowned, Sovereignty’s second dam is Spinster S. (G1) winner Mushka.

Into Mischief’s Saturday stakes results also included Full Moon Madness winning the Tom Fool S. (G3), Barnes finishing second in the San Felipe S. (G2), and Top Gunner taking third in the Tom Fool.