Sovereignty, the 3-year-old colt trained by Bill Mott, surged past the favorite Journalism in the final stretch to win the 151st Kentucky Derby at a rain-soaked Churchill Downs on Saturday. With Junior Alvarado in the irons, Sovereignty powered through the mud to deliver a career-defining victory for both horse and rider, clocking an unofficial time of 2:0.31
Entering the race with 9-1 odds, Sovereignty was not the bettors’ top pick-Journalism, at 3-1, had that honor-but a late burst down the homestretch sealed the upset. Baeza finished third, with Final Gambit rounding out the top four The track, battered by heavy rain, added a layer of unpredictability to the race, challenging even the most experienced contenders
This win marks a milestone for trainer Bill Mott, who previously won the Derby in 2019 via disqualification, but now celebrates a clear-cut victory. The ownership group, Godolphin, led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, finally saw their blue silks cross the finish line first after years of near-misses at America’s most prestigious race
For fans and bettors, the 2025 Kentucky Derby delivered drama and substantial payouts, with Sovereignty’s odds rewarding those who backed the colt despite challenging conditions. As attention turns to the Preakness Stakes, Sovereignty’s connections-and the racing world-are left wondering: can this colt continue his reign?
