2025 Kentucky Derby reflections: Royal late kick propels Sovereignty

Sovereignty was one of three Kentucky Derby (G1) starters with a win over the track, displaying a terrific turn of foot when circling eight rivals on the far turn of the Street Sense (G3) last October. He struck the front in upper stretch that afternoon and drew clear to a five-length decision. 

After receiving a pair of ideal prep races in South Florida this year, Sovereignty brought a powerful late kick to the 151st running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby.

The 1 1/4-mile classic set up perfectly for Sovereignty, who rated in 16th through grueling opening splits in :22.81 and :46.23, and the bay Godolphin homebred colt launched his winning move on the far turn. Sovereignty struck the front with a furlong remaining and scored comfortably by a 1 1/2-length margin.

Journalism offered a threatening run leaving the far turn, but he could not match strides in midstretch with Sovereignty. And the 3.42-1 favorite barely saved the place over fast-finishing Baeza, who briefly got caught in traffic on the far turn and lacked the necessary turn of foot at that key juncture. 

After straightening for home, Baeza found his best stride, delivering an eye-catching late rally to miss second by a neck. A maiden winner two starts previously, Baeza lacked seasoning entering the Kentucky Derby, and he projects to be a serious player in the three-year-old division moving forward.

Final Gambit, who had also broken his maiden two starts earlier, performed admirably in his first dirt attempt, closing from last for fourth. Owen Almighty, who relished sloppy conditions, wound up a commendable fifth, and he’ll be a major presence in the three-year-old sprint division this summer.

Burnham Square experienced the most trouble in my estimation, being checked twice by last-place finisher Admire Daytona. That rival cut off Burnham Square entering the far turn and forced jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. to check hard while retreating toward the back of the pack on the far turn. Burnham Square had to start-and-stop repeatedly and never got outside for the stretch drive, winding up a troubled sixth for Ian Wilkes.

Derby Day wagering

Sovereignty was an “A” play for me, along with Sandman, who never made a serious impact, finishing seventh from far off the pace, and both were keyed in all my wagers. The Kentucky Derby turned out to be an exciting race and capped a winning day for this horseplayer.