Sovereignty reigns at the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
Sovereignty, with jockey Junior Alvarado aboard, emerged victorious in 2:02.31 during the first leg of horse racing’s 2025 Triple Crown over the 19-horse field, which galloped through thick mud at Churchill Downs after daylong showers.
Sovereignty came out of the 18th gate and went off with the fourth-best odds at 7-1 as the race started. Journalism, which came in as the favorite at 3-1, placed second with Baeza (13-1 odds) rounding out the top three.
Bob Baffert, appearing in his first Kentucky Derby since 2021 due to suspension, fell short in his bid to become the winningest trainer in Kentucky Derby history as Citizen Bull placed 15th. Baffert’s six Kentucky Derby wins are tied with Ben Jones.
Sovereignty trainer Bill Mott’s lone Kentucky Derby win before Saturday came with an asterisk in 2019, when Country House crossed the line second but was declared the winner after the disqualification of Maximum Security.
Saturday Mott was asked about his second Derby winner.
‘This one got here the right way,’ Mott said. ‘I mean, he’s done well. He’s a great horse. He comes from a great organization.’
The Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown, will come May 17 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
Here is how the 2025 Kentucky Derby unfolded:
Kentucky Derby finish
- Sovereignty
- Journalism
- Baeza
- Final Gambit
- Owen Almighty
- Citizen Bull
- Neoequos
- American Promise
- Admire Daytona
- Luxor Cafe
- Burnham Square
- Flying Mohawk
- East Avenue
- Publisher
- Tiztastic
- Render Judgment
- Coal Battle
- Sandman
- Chunk of Gold
- Rodriguez — SCRATCHED
- Grande — SCRATCHED
Kentucky Derby earnings for Top 5 finishers
- First: Sovereignty, $3.1 million
- Second: Journalism, $1 million
- Third: Baeza, $500,000
- Fourth: Final Gambit, $250,000
- Fifth: Owen Almighty, $150,000
Kentucky Derby payouts
Sovereignty payout
Odds: 5/1
- Win: $17.96
- Place: $7.50
- Show: $5.58
Journalism payout
Odds: 3/1
- Place: $4.94
- Show: $3.70
Baeza payout
Odds: 13/1
- Show: $8.38
Kentucky Derby odds
Final odds, according to KentuckyDerby.com
- No. 1: Citizen Bull | Odds: 13-1
- No. 2: Neoequos | Odds: 42-1
- No. 3: Final Gambit | Odds: 17-1
No. 4: Rodriguez| SCRATCHED- No. 5: American Promise | Odds: 12-1
- No. 6: Admire Daytona | Odds: 42-1
- No. 7: Luxor Cafe | Odds: 8-1
- No. 8: Journalism | Odds: 3-1
- No. 9: Burnham Square | Odds: 19-1
No. 10: Grande| SCRATCHED- No. 11: Flying Mohawk | Odds: 28-1
- No. 12: East Avenue | Odds: 41-1
- No. 13: Publisher | Odds: 33-1
- No. 14: Tiztastic | Odds: 24-1
- No. 15: Render Judgment | Odds: 20-1
- No. 16: Coal Battle | Odds: 28-1
- No. 17: Sandman | Odds: 5-1
- No. 18: Sovereignty | Odds: 7-1
- No. 19: Chunk of Gold | Odds: 29-1
- No. 20: Owen Almighty | Odds: 40-1
- No. 21:Baeza | Odds: 13-1
Sovereignty payout
Sovereignty nets $17.96 for win, $7.50 for place and $5.58 for show.
Sovereignty wins Kentucky Derby
Here’s how it looked down the stretch.
What to know about Godolphin Stables
A seven-time winner of the Eclipse Award for outstanding owner — including each of the past five years (2020-24) — Godolphin is annually among the most successful entities in the industry. Godolphin, which owns 2025 Derby entrants East Avenue and Sovereignty, has ranked among the top two in earnings in North America five straight seasons, placing first the last four (2021 through 2024). Coming into the Derby it was tracking as another banner campaign in 2025, as of April 28, Godolphin ranked first in earnings, with more than $3.9 million. Despite Godolphin’s global reach — it is run by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai as well as vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates — it has found Triple Crown triumphs hard to come by until Saturday. Before Sovereignty’s big win, it was 0-for-12 in Derby attempts.
Simone Biles gives ‘Riders Up’ at Kentucky Derby
Olympian Simone Biles gave the ‘Riders Up’ call ahead of the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, a legendary command that informs jockeys to mount their horses. Biles donned a lavender ensemble from The Hat Girls, a three-time featured milliner of the Kentucky Derby. Biles paired her lavender strapless mini dress adorned with diamonds with a fascinator and matching eyeshadow.
Kentucky Derby undercard results
The 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, arrived with 19 horses competing for the prestigious garland of roses, with Sovereignty taking the top prize. The day also saw a 14-race undercard lineup, headlined by the Kentucky Derby, completing the festivities.
Kentucky Derby start time
Post time for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby is 7:02 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 3.
Kentucky Derby TV coverage
The Kentucky Derby will be broadcast live on NBC, with coverage starting at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Kentucky Derby live stream
For cord-cutters, the Kentucky Derby can be streamed on Peacock, with coverage starting at noon ET. You can also watch via Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.
When is the 2025 Preakness Stakes?
Sovereignty may have a shot at glory. The journey may continue with the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, which will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Coverage will start at 2 p.m. ET and will be covered across NBC and Peacock.
Kentucky Derby attendance
The official attendance inside Churchill Downs was announced as 147,406.
Watch the Kentucky Derby with Fubo
Race 11: Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic
Results from the 11th race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:
- 1st place: Spirit of St. Louis (Trainer: Chad Brown)
- 2nd place: Mercante
- 3rd place: Highway Robber
Kentucky Derby 2025 set to generate historic wagering numbers
TwinSpires, the event’s official betting partner, handled $20.9 million, up about $600,000 from last year. Wagering from all sources was $73.9 million, including $22.7 million (up 4% from 2024) bet on the day’s marquee race.
If Friday’s figures are any indication, today’s Kentucky Derby will also generate historic wagering numbers. — Payton Titus, Louisville Courier Journal
Race 10: Derby City Distaff
Results from the 10th race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:
- 1st place: Kopion (Trainer: Richard Mandella)
- 2nd place: Hope Road
- 3rd place: Ways and Means
Mike Tirico departs Kentucky Derby coverage feeling ‘under the weather’
‘Veteran sportscaster Mike Tirico is a late scratch at the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
Tirico, who has led NBC Sports’ Triple Crown coverage since 2017, was on the call Saturday for the network ahead of ‘The Run for the Roses’ on a rainy and cold day at Churchill Downs, but eagle-eyed viewers noticed that Tirico appeared to be less than 100%. It was later announced that Tirico had to step away from the Kentucky Derby coverage in Louisville shortly after 3 p.m. ET due to feeling ‘under the weather.’ – Cydney Henderson.
Ahmed Fareed gave an update on Tirico during NBC’s broadcast: ‘We want to tell you that he does have a nut allergy. He had a reaction earlier today. He is feeling fine now, but he’s just going to stay on the sideline. So Mike, I know you’re watching right now, hope you’re feeling better and get back to yourself here very soon.’
Read the story here.
Race 9: American Turf
Results from the ninth race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:
- 1st place: Zulu Kingdom (Trainer: Chad Brown)
- 2nd place: Test Score
- 3rd place: New Century
Race 8: Churchill Downs Stakes
Results from the eighth race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:
- 1st place: Mindframe (Trainer: Todd Pletcher)
- 2nd place: Banishing (dead heat with Nysos)
- 3rd place: Nysos (dead heart with Banishing)
Metallica’s James Hetfield visits Sandman at Kentucky Derby
James Hetfield, the frontman of Metallica, wishes Sandman well ahead of the Kentucky Derby.
Jayson Werth race horse leads to mohawk for lucky fan
‘Former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth is having a blast at the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
Werth’s horse, Flying Mohawk, will race in the 151st Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Ahead of the race, Werth offered fans around the area a mohawk for a chance to earn tickets for the Derby.’ — Ehsan Kassim
Read more here.
Race 7: Twin Spires Turf Sprint
Results from the seventh race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:
- 1st place: Think Big (Trainer: Michael Stidham)
- 2nd place: Boss Sully
- 3rd place: Unconquerable Keen
Race 6: Pat Day Mile
Results from the sixth race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:
- 1st place: Macho Music (Trainer: Rohan Crichton)
- 2nd place: Madaket Road
- 3rd place: Gaming
Race 5: Longines Distaff Turf Mile
Results from the fifth race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:
- 1st place: Simply In Front (Trainer: Eddie Kenneally)
- 2nd place: Pin Up Betty
- 3rd place: Movin’ On Up
Race 4: Knicks Go Stakes
Results from the fourth race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:
- 1st place: Liberal Arts (Trainer: Brad H. Cox)
- 2nd place: Patriot Spirit
- 3rd place: Kupuna
Race 3: Allowance Race
Results from the third race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:
- 1st place: Goal Oriented (trainer: Bob Baffert)
- 2nd place: Hypnus
- 3rd place: Tiz Secure
Race 2: Allowance Optional Claiming
Results from the second race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:
- 1st place: Lemon Muffin (trainer: D Wayne Lukas)
- 2nd place: Generous Lover
- 3rd place: Tapit Quick
Race 1: Maiden Special Weight
Results of the first race at Churchill Downs on Saturday:
- 1st place: Fountain Lake (trainer: John Ortiz)
- 2nd place: Chillax
- 3rd place: Sansone
Where to watch the Kentucky Derby today
- Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
- Time: 7:02 p.m. ET (race starts) | 2:30 p.m. ET (TV coverage)
- TV: NBC
- Stream: Peacock, Fubo
Kentucky Derby weather in Louisville
There’ll be rain. Early arrivers are already sporting their ponchos. Churchill Downs doesn’t allow umbrellas.
But the good news (so far, at least) is that meteorologists expect it to be early. As of Saturday morning, National Weather Service in Louisville predicts a 100% chance of precipitation Saturday for the Kentucky Derby, with showers most likely to be prevalent before 5 p.m.
There’s still a chance of showers and a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Expect conditions to remain mostly cloudy, with a high near 63 and a North wind 3 to 6 mph. — Chris Sims, Louisville Courier Journal
6 Kentucky Derby horses to bet on if it rains during Run for the Roses
If you’re sent scrambling for a poncho at Churchill Downs and need help adjusting your Derby bets, here are the contenders who have experience in the rain and its aftermath — presented in order of their numbers in the program, accompanied by their morning-line odds – Brooks Holton
Kentucky Derby 2025 purse
The winner of Derby 151 will take home a cash prize of $3.1 million, which was a record-breaking winner’s share this time last year when Mystik Dan won. The jockey of the winning horse will earn 10% of the first-place prize, which came out to be $310,000 last year.
Here’s a breakdown of what the purse for this year’s Kentucky Derby is:
- 1st place: $3.1 million
- 2nd place: $1 million
- 3rd place: $500,000
- 4th place: $250,000
- 5th place: $150,000
— John Leuzzi
Churchill Downs capacity
When it’s race day, Churchill Downs is one of the most packed venues in sports. The venue hosts around 165,000 people for the Kentucky Derby, a majority of which are in the grandstands of the race track.
Kentucky Derby ticket prices
For standing room only tickets and general admission, the prices start at $366, up more than $100 from the listed price at the end of April. Expect to shell out at least $135,000 for a private suite, with reserved seating going for at least $721, up from last year’s prices.
The Kentucky Derby offers what are called ‘Derby Experiences’ tickets, which include admission to the event and various accommodations through four different admission packages. — Scooby Axson
Kentucky Derby field: 19 horses will race after scratches
The 2025 Kentucky Derby field was narrowed to 19 horses after Grande was scratched on Friday because of a foot bruise. Veterinarians made the final decision to pull the horse. Grande is trained by Todd Pletcher and was to be ridden by John Velazquez. On Thursday, Rodriguez, one of two horses trained by Bob Baffert that was scheduled to race in the Derby, was also scratched with a foot bruise. Baffert still has one Kentucky Derby horse in 2-year-old champion Citizen Bull. Baeza, trained by John Shirreffs, joined the field in place of Rodriguez; there is no replacement for Grande. — Scooby Axson
Kentucky Derby 2024 winner
The Kentucky Derby 2024 winner was Mystik Dan, who had to edge out Sierra Leone and Forever Young in the final stretch at Churchill Downs for a historic photo finish ending. By winning last year’s derby, Mystik Dan earned a winning share of $3.1 million from the Kentucky Derby purse, a record-breaking figure. — John Leuzzi
Where is the Kentucky Derby held?
Churchill Downs is located in Louisville, Kentucky. It opened in 1875 and has hosted the Kentucky Derby ever since.
Kentucky Derby parade of roses
As the rain slowed into a steady drizzle over Churchill Downs, dozens gathered outside the main gates to watch the parade of roses. The Garland of Roses which will be donned on the winner of the Kentucky Derby were unloaded from a Kroger ice box truck and paraded through the Woodford Reserve Paddock Plaza. Race fans oh’d and ah’d as members of the military carried the bright red roses into the track. Along with the garland, dozens of bouquets of Kroger roses were carried into the track as well. — Louisville Courier Journal
How big is Churchill Downs?
Churchill Downs occupies 147 acres and it features a one-mile dirt, oval racetrack and a seven-furlong turf racecourse. It is also has barns behind the racetrack, which ‘house more than 1,400 horses each year,’ according to the facility.
Kentucky Derby winners since 2000
Here are the Kentucky Derby winners over the years, with the winning horse and the winning time in parentheses. Eventual Triple Crown winners are in bold.
- 2024 – Mystik Dan (2:03.34)
- 2023 – Mage (2:01.57)
- 2022 – Rich Strike (2:02.61)
- 2021 – Mandaloun (2:01.36)
- 2020 – Authentic (2:00.61)
- 2019 – Country House (2:03.93)
- 2018 – Justify (2:04:20)
- 2017 – Always Dreaming (2:03.59)
- 2016 – Nyquist (2:01.31)
- 2015 – American Pharoah (2:03.02)
- 2014 – California Chrome (2:03.66)
- 2013 – Orb (2:02.89)
- 2012 – I’ll Have Another (2:01.83)
- 2011 – Animal Kingdom (2:02.04)
- 2010 – Super Saver (2:04.45)
- 2009 – Mine That Bird (2:02.66)
- 2008 – Big Brown (2:01.82)
- 2007 – Street Sense (2:02.17)
- 2006 – Barbaro (2:01.36)
- 2005 – Giacomo (2:02.75)
- 2004 – Smarty Jones (2:04.06)
- 2003 – Funny Cide (2:01.19)
- 2002 – War Emblem (2:01.13)
- 2001 – Monarchos (1:59.97)
- 2000 – Fusaichi Pegasus (2:01.00)
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