Sovereignty Wins 151st Kentucky Derby in Thrilling Finish at Churchill Downs

Michael Clevenger/USA TODAY NETWORK

Louisville, May 5, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Sovereignty captured the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday in a dramatic showdown under wet and slippery conditions at Churchill Downs, securing the first leg of the coveted U.S. Triple Crown.

The bay colt, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by jockey Junior Alvarado, surged down the final stretch to overtake favourite Journalism, finishing the 1-1/4 mile race in two minutes and 2.31 seconds. Journalism placed second, roughly a length behind, while Baeza claimed third after a late strategic push.

Trainer Bill Mott praised the horse’s determination and timing. “I saw him gearing up when he left the half-mile pole. He made up a lot of ground in a hurry,” said Mott, who previously won the Derby in 2019 with Country House.

The race also marked a notable return for Bob Baffert, who made his first appearance at the Derby since serving a three-year ban. Baffert had been suspended by Churchill Downs after his 2021 winning horse Medina Spirit was disqualified for a failed drug test. His entrant this year, Citizen Bull, took the early lead from the inside post but faded in the final furlongs.

The victory was a milestone for jockey Junior Alvarado, earning his first Kentucky Derby win despite starting from the challenging 18th post position. Alvarado, who recently returned from a shoulder injury, expressed confidence in Sovereignty’s performance throughout the race.

“I thought I had a great chance. I was so confident the whole way,” said Alvarado, calling the colt "Mr. Mud" in reference to his exceptional handling of the sloppy track conditions.

Baeza’s third-place finish came after jockey Hector Berrios made a late bold move, seizing an opportunity in the final stretch. The horse entered the race as a replacement after another Baffert-trained contender, Rodriguez, was scratched on Thursday.

The Kentucky Derby win places Sovereignty in contention for the Triple Crown, with the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes to follow in the coming weeks. The win also reinforces Bill Mott’s reputation as one of America’s most respected trainers and sets the stage for an exciting continuation of the 2025 racing season.