TRACKSIDE WORLDWIDE

Sovereignty Shines In Belmont Showdown And Waller Reigns Supreme In Queensland It was déjà vu in the third leg of the Triple Crown at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, June 7. Once again, Sovereignty surged past Journalism on the outside to claim another of the prized races for three-year-olds. The clouds gathered on Sunday ahead of the Belmont Stakes, just as they had a month earlier at the Kentucky Derby.

This time, however, the rain stopped before the feature event, leaving a dry surface for what had been billed as the decisive clash between two horses, each of whom had won a leg of the Triple Crown this year. Sovereignty had taken the Derby before stepping aside, giving Journalism the opportunity to return to winning form in the Preakness Stakes.

The favorite then lined up in the Belmont Stakes as the only horse to have contested all three races this year. Meanwhile, Sovereignty returned looking fresh and ready, racing at a track his trainer Bill Mott considers home. It was only the second time in the 157-year history of the Belmont Stakes that Saratoga played host to the historic race.

Sovereignty settled comfortably early, hugging the rail in mid-pack before gradually shifting to the outside. Journalism was the first to launch a serious bid, surging ahead of the field with a quarter mile to go. The crowd roared as the thoroughbreds turned into the stretch. For a moment, it appeared the Preakness champion’s lead might be unassailable, but Sovereignty proved his win at Churchill Downs had been no fluke.

He accelerated past Journalism, crossing the finish three lengths clear of his newly established rival. Baeza followed in third, just as he had in the Kentucky Derby. The decision to skip Pimlico ultimately cost fans the chance to see the Godolphin-owned colt secure the Triple Crown, but his performances over the past month have firmly established him as a remarkable talent.

Speaking of talent, there is no doubt that the legendary Australia-based trainer Chris Waller ranks among the greatest of his generation. That reputation was further cemented on Saturday, June 7 at Eagle Farm, where he set a new record for most Group One wins by a trainer in a single season down under. His 19th victory came courtesy of Joliestar in the Kingsford Smith Cup in a thrilling finish.

Local underdog Zarastro appeared poised to spring an upset over Golden Mile as the pair broke away entering the straight. But Joliestar joined the contest with 100 metres to go, quickly erasing the deficit to set up a dramatic photo finish. The mare ultimately prevailed with James MacDonald aboard, becoming the first female to win the Group One Kingsford Smith since Sea Siren back in 2012. In the other group one races on the day, You Wahng triumphed in the Queensland Oaks and Maison Louis won the Queensland Derby over 2400m.

written by Joe Bell