In the 151st Kentucky Derby, Sovereignty emerges victorious, outperforming the favored horse Journalism in the muddy conditions.
New Article:
Trainer Bill Mott claimed the Kentucky Derby trophy once more, this time free of controversy or asterisks on the victory. Sovereignty, the underdog at 7-1 odds, outpaced 3-1 favorite Journalism in a thrilling stretch battle on a muddy track on Saturday, marking a remarkable comeback for owner Godolphin, who had gone 0 for 13 in the race previously.
Mott had previously tasted Derby triumph in 2019, albeit under questionable circumstances when Country House was promoted to first place after Maximum Security was disqualified following a 22-minute delay. But this year, Mott's success was a clear-cut victory, thanks to a remarkable performance from Sovereignty.
With a tidy margin, Sovereignty completed the 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.31, earning the coveted garland of red roses. The win carried a prize of $3.1 million from the $5 million purse, a well-deserved reward for the horse and its owner, Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Good Cheer, a filly owned by the same racing stable, had won the Kentucky Oaks the day before, while earlier in the day, Ruling Court, a son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, bagged the 2,000 Guineas in Britain. The weekend was a memorable one for the Sheikh.
"I've had quite a long relationship with the Godolphin team and the man behind the Godolphin operation, Sheikh Mohammed," Mott said, feeling honored.
Jockey Junior Alvarado, who had missed Sovereignty's last start in the Florida Derby due to an injury, found himself back in the saddle. Together, they secured the victory, an emotional triumph for the 38-year-old Venezuelan who declared it "more than a dream come true."
Journalism finished a close second, with a contested trip in the 19-horse field. The colt, ridden by Umberto Rispoli, fought valiantly, managing to reach the leaders alongside Sovereignty. The final part of the race saw a fierce duel between the two, as they battled it out to the backdrop of 147,406 roaring and rain-soaked fans.
Many considered this year's race an exciting return to form, offering a thrilling finish befitting the Derby legacy. Unfortunately, the 2022 Kentucky Derby saw no rain, with Citizen Bull, a Baffert-trained horse, setting a speedy pace on the fast track. Fast-closing Baeza finished third, while Final Gambit, Owen Almighty, and many others followed in the order of finish.
Rain or shine, the Kentucky Derby continues to celebrate racing's finest horses and trainers each year, testing their mettle amidst the roars of the crowd and the pressure of the moment. The 2025 Derby will no doubt bring more excitement, as competitors gear up to test their skills and vying for the ultimate prize of the first Saturday in May.
In the thrilling 2022 Kentucky Derby, AI jockey Junior Alvarado steered Sovereignty, owned by Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to a victory in a rain-soaked streak. This marked an impressive win for Sheikh Mohammed, also a significant stakeholder in the racing industry, who earlier in the weekend, had horses win the Kentucky Oaks and the 2000 Guineas in Britain.
