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Sovereignty Triumphs in a Rain-Soaked, Unforgettable 151st Kentucky Derby

In a dramatic and muddy showdown at Churchill Downs, Sovereignty emerged victorious at the 151st Kentucky Derby, a race steeped in American tradition and grandeur.

Por: Alejandro Carrillo May 5, 2025

On a day defined by unpredictable weather, the historic track in Louisville, Kentucky hosted yet another iconic chapter of the legendary “Run for the Roses,” capturing the energy and elegance the event is known for.

The day’s excitement began with a series of preliminary races that built anticipation for the main event. Olympic gymnastics superstar Simone Biles, a decorated athlete with 11 Olympic medals, was given the honor of calling out “Riders up!”—an electrifying moment that signaled jockeys to mount their horses.

Soon after, the Churchill Downs bugler sounded the classic post call, setting the stage as the horses began entering the track while the University of Louisville’s choir and marching band delivered a stirring rendition of “My Old Kentucky Home.”

The crown begins

Despite the festive spirit, Mother Nature added a layer of difficulty. Earlier showers had soaked the surface, leaving the dirt track slick and sloppy for the 19 thoroughbreds and the more than 147,000 fans who braved the chilly, overcast weather. As the gates flew open, early leaders Citizen Bull and Neoequos pushed forward aggressively, with American Promise and East Avenue joining them in a tense four-wide dash along the backstretch.

But as the pack rounded the final turn, everything changed. Both Journalism and Sovereignty began to break free from the congestion at the rear, surging forward with impressive speed on the outside.

The two horses galloped nearly side-by-side, igniting a thrilling stretch duel as they approached the finish line. It was Sovereignty who ultimately pulled away in the last strides, securing the Kentucky Derby title with a margin of a length and a half over pre-race favorite Journalism.

Trailing closely behind was Baeza, who executed a well-timed move to claim third place, finishing just a neck behind Journalism. Sovereignty, a three-year-old trained by the seasoned Bill Mott and piloted by Venezuelan jockey Junior Alvarado, entered the Kentucky Derby as a strong contender with 9-1 odds and lived up to expectations.

Derby drama

For Alvarado, this victory marked a career-defining moment—his first ever Derby win. Speaking to NBC Sports after the race, Alvarado expressed deep emotion and humility. “It was all Sovereignty—he carried me home. I believed in us all week. This is beyond a dream come true, especially to do it with someone like Mott.”

Mott, who now celebrates his second Kentucky Derby win, appeared both grateful and overwhelmed. “It hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” he admitted, soaking in the magnitude of the victory and the atmosphere.

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With Sovereignty now in the spotlight, all eyes turn to the second leg of the Triple Crown. The Preakness Stakes in Baltimore will take place in two weeks, followed by the Belmont Stakes on June 7—once again hosted in Saratoga Springs due to continued renovations at Belmont Park.

Key information

Who won the 2025 Kentucky Derby? Sovereignty won the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
What were the track conditions during the race? The race was run on a muddy track after heavy rain earlier in the day.
Who was the winning jockey? Junior Alvarado rode Sovereignty to victory.
Where will the final leg of the Triple Crown take place? The Belmont Stakes will be held in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Sovereignty Triumphs in a Rain-Soaked, Unforgettable 151st Kentucky Derby

The crown begins

Derby drama

Key information

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