Racing Roundtable: Kentucky Derby 151, Good Cheer's Kentucky Oaks score, and more from Churchill Downs

The Racing Roundtable of James Scully, Vance Hanson, and Ashley Anderson recap Kentucky Derby 151, Good Cheer's Kentucky Oaks (G1) victory, plus other eye-catching performances from Churchill Downs.

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Kentucky Oaks Coverage | Kentucky Derby Coverage | Trackside

Trainer Bill Mott earned his second Kentucky Derby win with Sovereignty on Saturday, May 3, when the Godolphin homebred launched a late rally to overtake 3.42-1 post-time favorite Journalism in the stretch and edged clear by 1 1/2 lengths at the wire. Junior Alvarado had the call and celebrated his first Kentucky Derby triumph with his sixth Kentucky Derby mount. 

Mott scored his first Derby win in 2019 via the disqualification of Maximum Security for interference, which elevated 65-1 longshot Country House to first. This time, on Saturday, Mott had the chance to watch his horse cross the finish line before all other rivals in the 19-horse field.

The Into Mischief colt handled the 1 1/4-mile test over a sloppy track in a final time of 2:02.31 and paid $17.96 on a $2 win bet. Michael McCarthy-trained Journalism came home second, a neck better than third-place finisher Baeza, who drew into the field following the scratch of Rodriguez. Todd Pletcher pupil Grande, owned by Repole Stable, would also scratch from the field later in the week. Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) victor Final Gambit closed well to finish fourth, while Owen Almighty, part of the early pace, held on for fifth.

One day earlier, Godolphin got a win in the Kentucky Oaks as well when Good Cheer maintained her perfect, 7-for-7 record with a 2 1/4-length tally under regular rider Luis Saez. Stopping the clock at 1:50.15 over a wet fast (sealed) track, Good Cheer made it look easy covering 1 1/8 miles. Trainer Brad Cox now has three Kentucky Oaks victories, while Godolphin secured their second following a win with Pretty Mischievous in 2023.

All-sources betting on the Kentucky Derby card at Churchill Downs set a record with $349 million, up 9% from the previous record in 2024 of $320.5 million. Handle for the Kentucky Derby race reached a record $234.4 million, up 11% from last year's record of $210.7 million.

Derby week handle also set a new mark with $473.9 million, and combined all-sources handle for Kentucky Oaks and Derby days totaled $422.9 million, up 7% from last year's record.

TwinSpires' advance-deposit wagering service hit a new record, too, with $108 million in wagering on races for the Kentucky Derby Day program, a 17% increase over 2024's record of $92.1 million.

Kentucky Oaks Coverage

Kentucky Derby Coverage

Trackside Coverage