The Kentucky Derby happened Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Although the favorite was Journalism, Sovereignty took home the win.
Weather
The weather for the Kentucky was not ideal. The track was muddy from rains, and it was cool and slightly raining at the time of the race presenting a challenge to the horses and their riders.
Race
At the start of the race, Journalism was bunched with the majority of horses. For around three-quarters of the race, Citizen Bull and Neoequos were first and second, respectively. At the half-mile mark, the pace was set at 46.23 seconds.
Around the three-quarter mile mark, Neoequos took the lead, but it did not last long as Sovereignty and Journalism were neck and neck in first place. For multiple seconds, the two horses kept running neck and neck, but several yards before the finish line, Sovereignty edged out Journalism and took the lead and the win. Third place winner was Baeza. [1]
Trainer and Rider
Sovereignty’s trainer was Bill Mott. This year’s win marks his second Kentucky Derby win. When commenting on his second Kentucky Derby win, Mott said that “this is better.” [2] Sovereignty’s win gave Junior Alvarado, the rider, his first Kentucky Derby win. Alvarado could not express what he was feeling into words, he was so over the moon with his first Derby win.
Preakness
Sovereignty’s owner and trainers aren’t sure if they’ll enter him into the Preakness Stakes in two weeks; it depends on how he recovers after the Kentucky Derby. [3] Other trainers also weren’t sure concerning their horses entering the Preakness.
