2025 Kentucky Derby winner: Sovereignty (7-1) wins the 151st Kentucky Derby

A determined rally over a sloppy track carried Sovereignty to victory in the 151st running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Under a patient ride from jockey Junior Alvarado, Sovereignty rated near the back of the 19-horse field as Citizen Bull set fractions of :22.81, :46.23, and 1:10.78 while closely pursued by Neoequos, American Promise, and Owen Almighty. Favored Journalism saved ground in midfield.

Rounding the final turn, Journalism shifted outside and launched a challenge, but the wide-rallying Sovereignty shadowed him. The two colts turned for home together, but Sovereignty always had more momentum and forged clear to win by about 1 1/2 lengths in 2:02.31.

Winner of the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs last fall, Sovereignty prepped for the Kentucky Derby with a triumph in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and runner-up finish in the Florida Derby (G1). Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, who won the 2019 Kentucky Derby with Country House, had Sovereignty prepared for a peak performance on the first Saturday in May.

Alvarado's win marked his first triumph from six rides in the Run for the Roses.

Journalism just held on for second place over late-running Baeza, while Final Gambit closed for fourth place. Owen Almighty held on best of the pace horses to finish fifth, followed by Burnham Square, Sandman, East Avenue, Chunk of Gold, Tiztastic, Coal Battle, Luxor Cafe, Neoequos, Publisher, Citizen Bull, American Promise, Render Judgment, Flying Mohawk, and Admire Daytona. Rodriguez and Grande scratched.

Sovereignty started at 7-1 odds and paid $17.96 to win, $7.50 to place, and $5.58 to show. Journalism paid $4.94 to place and $3.70 to show, while a show bet on Baeza yielded $8.38. The $2 exacta paid $48.32, the 50-cent trifecta $1,682.27, the $1 superfecta $1,682.27, and the $1 Super High 5 $38,405.96.

Sovereignty is the first Kentucky Derby winner to carry the royal blue silks of Godolphin, the international powerhouse stable that bred and races the bay colt. On Friday, Godolphin won the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with the undefeated filly Good Cheer.

A son of six-time leading North American stallion Into Mischief out of the Bernardini mare Crowned, Sovereignty is the third Kentucky Derby winner sired by Into Mischief, following Authentic (2020) and Mandaloun (2021). Only five stallions in history have sired three Kentucky Derby winners; prior to Into Mischief, the last to do so was Bull Lea from 1948 through 1957.