Jockey Junior Alvarado celebrated after riding Sovereignty to victory in the 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. May 3, 2025 Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Watch: Sovereignty edges out Journalism in 151st Kentucky Derby

By Adam Gretz | Last updated May 4, 2025 9:16 AM ET

It may not have been as close as last year's photo finish Kentucky Derby, but the 151st running on Saturday evening still produced plenty of drama down the stretch. Sovereignty was able to edge out the favorite, Journalism, to take the first leg of the Triple Crown.

It ends up being the second derby win for trainer Bill Mott, who also won the 2019 Derby with Country House.

Sovereignty entered the day with 7-1 odds to win.

Journalism was the favorite at 3-1.

Conditions were extremely muddy and sloppy due to heavy rains throughout the day at Churchill Downs, severely impacting the conditions. But for as sloppy as the conditions were, they did not slow down Sovereignty as it was able to power through with a frantic finish.

SOVEREIGNTY RULES THE 151st KENTUCKY DERBY! #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/WfLBrG4Zv4
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 3, 2025

It is the third career win for Sovereignty and by far the biggest so far.

Journalism entered Saturday having won four consecutive races, including its first two races in 2025, before finishing in a very close second on Saturday.

Next up for Sovereignty will be the Preakness Stakes in two weeks as it looks to continue its pursuit of the Triple Crown.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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