Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Sovereignty

There was a time not too many years ago when a horse like Sovereignty might have been overlooked as a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender because of his pedigree.

Even with a decisive stretch-running score in the 1 1/16-mile Street Sense (G3) under his belt, bettors might have doubted Sovereignty’s ability to stretch out over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby. The reason? His sire, Into Mischief.

Into Mischief was a sprinter/miler, winning the 1 1/16-mile CashCall Futurity (G1) and finishing second in the seven-furlong Malibu (G1). And as recently as 2020, he had a reputation for being almost exclusively a source of speed at stud, with his best runners included two-time Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Goldencents, Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) heroine Covfefe, and three-time Grade 1-winning sprinter/miler Practical Joke.

But then Into Mischief’s son Authentic won the 2020 Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) racing 1 1/4 miles, earning Horse of the Year honors. Then another son of Into Mischief, Mandaloun, won the 2021 Kentucky Derby via disqualification. All of a sudden, Into Mischief was the sire of back-to-back Kentucky Derby winners.

Into Mischief continues to sire plenty of sprinters and milers, but as Authentic and Mandaloun vividly demonstrate, his progeny occasionally prove effective over 1 1/4 miles and shouldn’t be underestimated where the Kentucky Derby is concerned.

That goes double for Sovereignty. The genetics of Into Mischief represent only half of Sovereignty’s pedigree, and his dam, Crowned, introduces a hefty dose of stamina into the equation.

Crowned is an unraced daughter of Bernardini out of Mushka, by Empire Maker. There’s a ton of racing class to analyze here, so let’s break it down one horse at a time.

Bernardini is remembered equally for his racing ability and stud career. The champion three-year-old male of 2006 was a top-class route racer who won the 1 3/16-mile Preakness (G1), 1 1/4-mile Travers (G1), and 1 1/4-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). He’s passed on his stamina at stud, with his progeny compiling a lofty average winning distance of 7.5 furlongs. The best of them include Travers winners Alpha and Stay Thirsty.

Bernardini is also developing a strong record as a broodmare sire, with his daughters foaling two-time Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) winner Colonel Liam, Saudi Cup (G1) hero Emblem Road, Travers winner Catholic Boy, and the multiple Grade 1 winners Clairiere, Maxfield, and Chancer McPatrick. The specific cross of Into Mischief with Bernardini mares has previously yielded Owendale, a multiple Grade 3-winning route racer who placed third by 1 1/4 lengths in the 2019 Preakness.

Now, what about Mushka? She was a versatile and long-winded filly who won the 1 1/8-mile Demoiselle (G2) on dirt, the 1 3/8-mile Glens Falls H. (G3) on turf, and the 1 1/8-mile Spinster (G1) on synthetic.

As for Empire Maker, he counted the 1 1/2-mile Belmont (G1) as his signature victory, though he also won the Wood Memorial (G1) and Florida Derby (G1) racing 1 1/8 miles and finished second in the Kentucky Derby. As a stallion, Empire Maker has proven to be a source of classic stamina. His sons Pioneerof the Nile and Bodemeister each finished second in the Kentucky Derby. Pioneerof the Nile subsequently sired 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, while Bodemeister’s son Always Dreaming won the 2017 Kentucky Derby.

Prior to foaling Sovereignty, Crowned produced two daughters of Into Mischief: Jane Grey and Misintention. These fillies emulated their sire’s racing prowess; Jane Grey broke her maiden racing seven furlongs and placed in five allowances over distances from six furlongs to one mile, while Misintention placed in maiden special weights over distances from seven furlongs to one mile.

But Sovereignty, from all appearances, is a different type of horse — more like Authentic or Mandaloun, seemingly inheriting the ideal blend of speed and stamina from his sire and dam. Racing 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May should be within reach for this talented bay colt.