On May 3, 2025, the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby was an exciting event at Churchill Downs, where Sovereignty emerged as the unexpected yet deserving winner on a rain-soaked track. Sovereignty, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and owned by racing powerhouse Godolphin, carved his name into horse racing history by clinching his first Derby victory. 

Starting from post position 18, Sovereignty’s odds were 7-1, but viewers quickly saw that the muddy track did little to deter his momentum. Overcoming a recent shoulder injury, Jockey Junior Alvarado executed an impressive ride that led to his victory. Sovereignty got off to a slightly slug- gish start, but once he approached the homestretch he surged past the race favorite, Journalism, and crossed the finish line in 2:02.31, finishing 1.5 lengths ahead of the second-place team. 

This victory marked a series of firsts and milestones. For Alvarado, it was his first win in the Kentucky Derby. For trainer Bill Mott, it was his second Derby triumph, the first in 2019 with Country House, who won under controversial circumstances following a disqualification. 

Behind Sovereignty, the drama unfolded with fierce intensity. Journalism, the heavily favored 3-1 entry that had captured four consecutive wins leading up to the Derby, set the early pace and held the lead into the final stretch. However, the mud and pressure from the pack eventually wore him down, and he settled for second place, 1.5 lengths behind the winner. Third place went to Baeza, whose odds were 12-1, a late entry from the also eligible list. He mounted a stunning charge from 15th place midway through the race. Traditionally, the financial stakes were just as high as the sporting drama. A two dollars win bet on Sovereignty paid $17.96. The two dollars exacta pairing Sovereignty and Journalism returned $48.32, while the "fifty cent Sovereignty, Journalism, Baeza," brought in $115.56. The $1 su- perfecta including Final Gambit, the fourth place horse, paid an impressive $1,682.27, and for those who predicted the top five horses in exact order, the $1 Super High Five bet returned a jaw- dropping $38,405.96. 

Despite the wet weather, 147,406 fans packed Churchill Downs to experience "The Run for the Roses." The National Broadcasting Company Sports also reported a massive television audience — 17.7 million viewers tuned in across NBC and Peacock, making it the most- watched Derby broadcast since 1989. 

Sovereignty’s rise from the back of the pack reminded many racing fans of one of the sport’s all-time greats, Sec- retariat. Secretariat’s legendary 1973 Derby performance still stands as the fastest in history at 1:59.40 for the 11⁄4- mile distance. That race was just the beginning of his Triple Crown sweep, capped by a mind-blowing 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes. Secretariat’s dominance was so profound that his legacy still looms over every Derby, with all of the horses in this year's race descendants of the most famous horse to run it. 

Sovereignty displayed strategy and a talent that suggests more could be on the horizon. His composure under pressure, ability to handle difficult track conditions and strong finish- ing kick make him a strong contender for the remaining legs of the Triple Crown. Fans all over now turn their attention to the Preakness Stakes on May 17 in Baltimore, where Sovereignty will attempt to take the second step in his historic journey. 

As the garland of roses was draped over Sovereignty and the crowd roared in celebration, fans couldn’t help but feel the magic. Whether it was the nod to legends like Secretariat, the classic attire worn by the crowd, the emotional firsts for Alvarado and Godolphin or the thrill of unexpected finishes, Churchill Downs is a timeless place, and the Kentucky Derby is one of the few sporting events that feels like it is stuck in the time of its inception.