Hall of Fame trainer’s entry, Sovereignty, the favorite in this year’s Florida Derby

Bill Mott trained 1990s superstar Cigar, whose statue overlooks the paddock walking ring at Gulfstream Park – the only horse so honored at the Hallandale Beach racing oval.

For all his accomplishments, though, Cigar did not win the Florida Derby, the track’s signature race. For that matter, Mott – a Hall of Fame trainer – hasn’t won one, either.

That could change Saturday when Mott sends out Sovereignty in the 74th running of the major prep for Kentucky Derby hopefuls.

Fresh off a stirring, come-from-behind neck victory in the Fountain of Youth Stakes, the 3-year-old colt is the 8-5 program favorite in a field of 10 to win the $1 million Derby.

“He looks great. He’s been moving well, and his works have been good,” Mott said. “We’re pleased with him going into it. Up until this point everything has been going good.”

Well, not everything.

The Godolphin colt’s regular rider, Junior Alvarado, fractured a shoulder blade in a racing spill Sunday and will be replaced by Manny Franco. Franco won the 2020 Florida Derby aboard Tiz the Law but has not ridden regularly at Gulfstream since.

And Sovereignty drew the far outside post, a less-than-desirable starting position for the 1 1/8-miles stakes in which the first turn looms close to the gate.

“If you had given me my druthers, I probably would have picked something inside of that (Post 10), but we can’t change it,” Mott said.

One factor working in the colt’s favor is his drop-back, late-kick style, which should enable Franco to maneuver closer to the rail entering the first turn. The added distance of the Derby could also suit the colt.

“It’s a little bit longer race, which seems like it should be a positive for us,” Mott said.

Despite his recent success, Sovereignty does not overshadow his rivals on paper. Among the chief contenders, those most likely to end up in the winner’s circle include Bob Baffert-trained Madaket Road (7-2) and Disruptor (4-1), whose trainer Todd Pletcher will be seeking his record-extending ninth Florida Derby victory – and unprecedented third straight.

Baffert rarely sends horses to Gulfstream from his California headquarters and has saddled just one previous starter in the Florida Derby, 2021 ninth-place finisher Spielberg. Madaket Road exits a second-place finish in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Like Sovereignty, Madaket Road will have a replacement jockey (Mike Smith) after his assigned rider, Tyler Gaffalione, broke an ankle in a pre-race mishap Wednesday at Gulfstream.

Disruptor could give Pletcher yet another Florida Derby victory.

But the colt will be taking a major leap, going from an impressive 9¼-length win in a seven-furlong race for maidens into a much more challenging test against seasoned rivals.

“We thought based on his potential and his maiden win it was worth it to take a shot and see how he can handle a step up in class and distance,” Pletcher said.

Other Florida Derby contenders of note are lightly raced Tappan Street, who returns after a nearly two-month layoff following a solid second-place effort in the Holy Bull Stakes on Feb. 1, and frontrunning Neoequos, who could be facing distance limitations.

Completing the expected field: Cool Intentions, Smoken Boy, Indecisiveness, Jimmy’s Dailys, and Enterdagragon.

Post time for Saturday’s first race on Gulfstream’s 14-race card is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., with post for the Florida Derby set for 6:42 p.m.