Dominion prevails in the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby
Headline: Sovereignty Triumphs in Muddy Kentucky Derby, Snatching First Win for Jockey Junior Alvarado
Sloshy tracks never bothered ol' Louisville, and on this particular rainy day, Sovereignty capitalized on the slush to secure a thrilling Kentucky Derby win. With Junior Alvarado astride, this underdog colt charged past heavy favorites to claim the rosy wreath and the coveted victory.
A joyous Alvarado, now smeared with dirt, shared his elation with broadcaster NBC on his way to the winner's circle: "This means the damn world to me!"
The hotshot contender, Journalism, arrived on a win streak of four races, but ultimately settled for the runner-up position. And third place was claimed by Baeza, who managed to squeeze into the field after two horses were scratched.
Mott, the trainer behind the triumph, celebrated his second Kentucky Derby win, with the first achieving a belated victory in 2019 when Country House was declared the winner, following Maximum Security's disqualification.
"This one got there the right way," Mott grinned, still in disbelief. "It'll take me a while to fucking wrap my head around it."
This year marked Godolphin's 13th attempt at the 1 1/4-mile Run for the Roses, with the win marking their first taste of Derby glory. Their victory capped off an impressive global week - their filly, Good Cheer, clinched the Kentucky Oaks, and Ruling Court claimed the English 2000 Guineas.
Ominous clouds loomed over Bob Baffert as he returned to the Derby scene, following a three-year ban in 2021 due to Medina Spirit's post-race drug test failure. Baffert's Citizen Bull darted from the first post, nabbing an early lead. But Sovereignty, sent off at odds of 7-1, played the spoilsport, gradually closing in on Citizen Bull before making his legendary, neck-and-neck charge to the finish line.
As for Sovereignty's future in the upcoming Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, nothing's been solidified just yet. Normally, a Kentucky Derby champ would mull over a run in the following races. However, these choices often hinge on factors like the horse's condition and post-Derby performance. Keep your eyes peeled for updates on Sovereignty's race plans in the coming weeks!
The Preakness Stakes typically unfurls two weeks after the Derby at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The Belmont Stakes, the grand finale, tends to take place three weeks after the Preakness, at Belmont Park in New York. So, stock up on popcorn and tune in for the spectacle!
Sources:
[1] Associated Press. (2025, May 06). Sovereignty wins 2025 Kentucky Derby. ESPN. https://www.espn.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/34718242/sovereignty-wins-2025-kentucky-derby
[2] Racing Post. (2025, May 06). Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty bound for Preakness after emphatic victory. Racing Post. https://www.racingpost.com/news/kentucky-derby-winner-sovereignty-bound-for-preakness-after-emphatic-victory/919027
[3] Kennedy, S. (2025, May 06). Junior Alvarado Wins First Kentucky Derby Aboard Sovereignty. Thoroughbred Daily News. https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/junior-alvarado-wins-first-kentucky-derby-aboard-sovereignty/
- Junior Alvarado, aboard Sovereignty, secured a win in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, marking his first victory in horse-racing's prestigious event.
- Trainer Mott, who has a history with the Kentucky Derby, celebrated his second triumph in the race with the victory of Sovereignty.
- Godolphin, a significant force in horse-racing, tasted their first Derby glory in 2025, as Sovereignty claimed the victory.
- Following his win in the Kentucky Derby, Sovereignty will be looking towards the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes as potential future races.
