The 151st Kentucky Derby, held this past Saturday(5/3/25), at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, delivered a thrilling spectacle as Godolphin’s Sovereignty, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado, surged to victory in a rain-soaked “Run for the Roses.” The race, the first leg of the 2025 Triple Crown, featured 19 contenders battling a muddy track in front of 147,406 fans. Sovereignty edged out post-time favorite Journalism in a dramatic 2:02.31 finish, earning $3.1 million of the $5 million purse. With tight margins and shifting conditions, the Derby captivated global attention, with over 3 million X posts trending under #KyDerby.
Sovereignty’s win marked Godolphin’s first Kentucky Derby triumph, fulfilling Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s decades-long pursuit. Starting from post 18 with 7-1 odds, the colt lagged early as Bob Baffert’s Citizen Bull set the pace alongside Neoequos and Owen Almighty. Sovereignty and Journalism, both buried in the middle of the pack, made a powerful late push. Alvarado’s calculated inside move around the final turn helped Sovereignty overtake Journalism (3-1) in a thrilling stretch run. Baeza, who benefited from a reshuffled field after a late scratch, claimed third, followed by Final Gambit and Owen Almighty. “He made up a lot of ground in a hurry,” Mott told the Los Angeles Times, expressing appreciation for Godolphin’s long-term commitment. The win gave Mott his second Derby title after 2019’s contested Country House result and marked a career milestone for Alvarado, who clinched his first Derby victory in six attempts.
Race day conditions added to the drama. Steady rainfall throughout the afternoon turned the track into a deep slop, which challenged front-runners and favored late closers. Journalism, who had entered the Derby with three graded-stakes wins, struggled to sustain momentum in the off-track surface. Sovereignty, by contrast, demonstrated stamina and closing speed. Baffert, returning to the Derby after a suspension that spanned 2021 to 2024, saw Citizen Bull fade to 15th, falling short of a potential record-setting seventh Derby win. The Derby’s top five finishers all trace lineage back to Secretariat, whose influence continues to define elite racing pedigrees.
Bettors saw substantial returns. A $2 win bet on Sovereignty paid $17.96. The $1 trifecta paid $231.12, while the $1 superfecta returned $1,682.27.
The Derby also brought out celebrities, traditions, and fashion in full force. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles issued the “Riders Up” call while wearing a custom lavender dress with rhinestones and a matching fascinator. NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers and NBA analyst Carmelo Anthony mingled with fans in the stands. The infield delivered a festival-like experience despite the weather, with Bellarmine University students describing the atmosphere as lively and wet. Godolphin extended its weekend celebration by winning the Kentucky Oaks on May 2 with Good Cheer, completing a rare sweep not seen in decades.
Several undercard races added to the day’s excitement. Spirit of St. Louis captured the Old Forester Turf Classic, Kopion took the Derby City Distaff, and Mindframe narrowly won the Churchill Downs Stakes. The newly unveiled Skye Terrace and renovated grandstand enhanced the viewing experience, according to Churchill Downs officials.
Despite the rain, the 2025 Kentucky Derby lived up to its billing as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” Sovereignty’s late burst added another chapter to the sport’s evolving storyline and set off Triple Crown speculation. However, trainer Bill Mott remained measured, saying he had not yet committed to entering the colt in the Preakness.
This image is the property of The New Dispatch LLC and is not licenseable for external use without explicit written permission.
