Sovereign edges out Journalism to capture victory in the 151st Kentucky Derby.
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sovereignty delivered trainer Bill Mott his second Kentucky Derby victory on Saturday — this time decisively, with no controversy or asterisk attached.
Sovereignty outdueled 3-1 favorite Journalism down the stretch to capture the 151st running of the Derby on a rain-soaked, sloppy track, ending a 0-for-13 drought in the race for owner Godolphin.
Mott’s first Derby win came in 2019 under similar wet conditions when Country House was promoted to first after Maximum Security was disqualified following a prolonged 22-minute review. This time, despite a brief delay to confirm the official results and review a congested start, Mott knew exactly who had earned the garland of roses.
“This one got there the right way,” the Hall of Fame trainer said. “He’s a great horse from a great organization. I can’t say enough about the horse and everyone who helped make this happen.”
Sovereignty’s win capped a remarkable weekend for Godolphin, the stable owned by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. On Friday, his filly Good Cheer won the Kentucky Oaks, and earlier Saturday, Ruling Court — a son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify — took the 2,000 Guineas in Britain.
“I’ve had a long relationship with the Godolphin team and Sheikh Mohammed,” Mott added. “I’m honored.”
Bred by Sheikh Mohammed, Sovereignty won by 1½ lengths, covering the 1¼ miles in 2:02.31. He returned $17.96 on a $2 win bet at 7-1 odds, earning $3.1 million of the $5 million purse.
Journalism encountered trouble early in the crowded 19-horse field. Jockey Umberto Rispoli swung him outside after the first turn to regain momentum, positioning him behind the leaders with Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado in close pursuit.
“He was telling me, ‘I’m ready,’ so I started picking it up,” Alvarado said of Sovereignty.
The two colts battled stride-for-stride in the stretch before Sovereignty pulled clear inside the eighth pole, surging past in front of 147,406 rain-soaked spectators at Churchill Downs.
“I saw the blue silks coming, and I knew that was the one we had to worry about,” said Journalism’s trainer Michael McCarthy. “The winner ran a better race.”
For Alvarado, a 38-year-old Venezuelan, it marked his first Derby victory in six attempts. He had missed Sovereignty’s last start in the Florida Derby due to injury.
“It’s more than a dream come true,” Alvarado said. “I was confident all week.”
Baeza, who drew into the race Thursday after a late scratch, finished third by a neck. Final Gambit and Owen Almighty rounded out the top five.
Citizen Bull, the lone entry from six-time Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert, set the early pace but faded to 14th. Baffert returned to the Derby after serving a three-year suspension following Medina Spirit’s disqualification in 2021.
Four-time Derby winner D. Wayne Lukas, 89, saw his colt American Promise finish 15th.
Rain soaked Churchill Downs all day, forcing fans to cover their finery with clear ponchos as the track was officially listed as sloppy.
The remainder of the field finished in this order: Burnham Square (6th), Sandman, East Avenue, Chunk of Gold, Tiztastic, Coal Battle, Neoequos, Publisher, Citizen Bull, American Promise, Render Judgment, Flying Mohawk, and Admire Daytona.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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