Sovereignty Wins 151st Kentucky Derby

Sovereignty hit favourite Journalism to triumph nan 151st Kentucky Derby astatine Churchill Downs.

The colt, ridden by Junior Alvarado and trained by Bill Mott, vanished nan 1 and a 4th miles level title successful 2 minutes and 02.31 seconds to hit Journalism by 1 and a half lengths.

Citizen Bull group nan early gait connected nan muddy track, earlier Sovereignty and Journalism emerged astatine nan beforehand heading into nan last stretch.

But 7-1 3rd prime Sovereignty pulled distant to return triumph successful beforehand of 147,046 spectators.

"Fortunately, location was a batch of velocity successful nan race," Mott said.

"It group up good for america because they had an honorable pace. When you person a bully pace, nan section strings retired a small spot more, and it offers you an opportunity to driblet successful erstwhile they statement up a small bit.

"It gives nan extracurricular horses a chance, and that's what happened."

The triumph is nan first for Alvarado and proprietor Godolphin LLC successful nan classical race, while it is nan 2nd for Mott, who won successful 2019 pinch Country House aft Maximum Security was bumped down for interference.

American gymnast Simone Biles, victor of 7 Olympic golden medals, performed nan accepted pre-race 'riders up' telephone signalling for nan riders to equine their horses.

The role, fixed to celebrities and athletes, has been performed by TV characteristic Martha Stewart, NFL prima Patrick Mahomes and vocalist Jack Harlow successful caller years.

Journalism, ridden by Umberto Rispoli, went disconnected arsenic nan 3-1 favourite aft winning connected his past 4 starts - though nary of those victories were achieved connected nan mud.

"I cognize astir group are disappointed," Rispoli said.

"On a adjacent track, I deliberation I person nan amended horse."

Severe upwind had delayed races connected Friday and, while location were nary specified issues connected Saturday, further rainfall led to muddy conditions for nan derby.