Sovereignty Wins 151st Kentucky Derby, $3.1M Prize

Sovereignty won the 151st Kentucky Derby, defeating race favorite Journalism in a dramatic stretch run on a rain-soaked, muddy track at Churchill Downs. Trainer Bill Mott secured his second Derby victory, with jockey Junior Alvarado guiding Sovereignty to the win at 7-1 odds. Journalism, who was favored at 3-1, encountered early trouble but rallied to finish second, while Baeza, who entered as an alternate, claimed third place. The victory awarded Sovereignty’s team $3.1 million from the $5 million purse, maintaining the largest payout in Derby history. The event drew massive crowds and television viewership, reflecting the continued popularity of the Derby despite soggy weather and recent venue renovations. The race also continued a recent trend of unexpected winners, with only one favorite claiming victory in the past seven years.