Churchhill Downs—On a soggy day at Churchill Downs, it was Sovereignty—not the favored Journalism—who emerged triumphant in the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, marking a defining moment for trainer Bill Mott and owner Godolphin.
Ridden by jockey Junior Alvarado, Sovereignty charged from behind to claim the first leg of the Triple Crown with an official time of 2:02.31. The colt, who went off at 7-1 odds, edged out Journalism in the final stretch, with Baeza—who entered the race as a late replacement—securing third.
The early pace was set by Citizen Bull, trained by Bob Baffert, who led the pack through the first half of the race. Long shots Neoequos and Owen Almighty were also prominent early on, but the complexion of the race changed dramatically in the final turn. Both Sovereignty and Journalism, initially buried deep in the field, powered forward from the outside in a thrilling finish that left fans on the edge of their seats.
This year’s Derby carried a $5 million purse, consistent with 2024. Sovereignty’s win earned a $3.1 million prize for Godolphin, the global racing powerhouse founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Bettors who backed Sovereignty were rewarded handsomely. A $2 win bet returned $17.96, while a $1 exacta paid $48.32. Trifecta and superfecta bets were particularly lucrative, with payouts of $231.12 and a stunning $1,682.27, respectively.
The win marked several milestones. It was Mott’s second Derby title, but his first in which his horse crossed the finish line first—his previous victory came in 2019 with Country House, who was elevated to first after Maximum Security was disqualified. For Godolphin and Alvarado, it was a long-awaited breakthrough at the Derby.
“He came flying at the end,” Mott told the Los Angeles Times. “This one earned it the right way. Godolphin brought us a tremendous horse, and Junior rode him perfectly.”
All 19 runners had to contend with tough conditions after steady rain turned the track muddy. Two horses were scratched in the lead-up to the race due to foot issues—Rodriguez, another Baffert entry, and long shot Grande. Baeza entered the field in place of Rodriguez and exceeded expectations, going off at 14-1 and finishing third.
Journalism, who opened the day as the 3-1 favorite, closed slightly higher at 7-2 and ran a strong race but couldn’t hold off Sovereignty’s late charge.
The race also marked the controversial return of Bob Baffert to the Derby after a three-year ban stemming from the 2021 disqualification of Medina Spirit, who tested positive for a banned substance. Baffert’s top prospect this year, Rodriguez, was scratched, but Citizen Bull still competed, finishing 15th at 13-1 odds.
2025 Kentucky Derby — Official Results:
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Sovereignty
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Journalism
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Baeza
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Final Gambit
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Owen Almighty
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Burnham Square
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Sandman
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East Avenue
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Chunk of Gold
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Tiztastic
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Coal Battle
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Luxor Cafe
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Neoequos
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Publisher
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Citizen Bull
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American Promise
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Render Judgement
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Flying Mohawk
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Admire Daytona
Fun Fact: Every horse in the 2025 Derby field traces its lineage back to the legendary Secretariat.
