Bill Mott has officially secured his place in the Hall of Fame, adding to his illustrious career as a renowned horse trainer. Mott made headlines when he won the Kentucky Derby in 2019, although that victory was mired in controversy due to disqualification. Fast forward to this year: Mott finally witnessed his horse cross the finish line first in a thrilling race.
On a chilly and drizzly Saturday, Sovereignty showcased an impressive performance, battling fiercely against Journalism in the final stretch to claim victory at the 151st Kentucky Derby. Sovereignty edged out Journalism, winning by a margin of 1½ lengths in front of a crowd of 147,406 at Churchill Downs. Sovereignty's journey to this prestigious race included a solid second-place finish in the Florida Derby, but he faced a daunting 19-horse field on Derby Day.
The race began with a crowded field, particularly on the inside, as Citizen Bull, the 2-year-old Eclipse champion, surged to the front before making a move toward the center of the track. The initial half-mile of the 1 ¼-mile race clocked in at a brisk 46.23 seconds. As the race progressed, it became evident that many of the early frontrunners were fading, leaving the closers to contend for the win. Notably, Baeza, who entered the race just days prior after Rodriguez scratched out, finished a commendable third.
The remaining horses finished in the following order: Final Gambit, Owen Almighty, Burnham Square, Sandman, East Avenue, Chunk of Gold, Tiztastic, Coal Battle, Luxor Café, Neoequos, Publisher, Citizen Bull, American Promise, Render Judgment, Flying Mohawk, and Admire Daytona. Sovereignty returned a payout of $17.96 for a winning ticket.
Bill Mott expressed his admiration for Sovereignty after the race, stating, “He made up a lot of ground in a hurry. This one got here the right way. I mean, he’s done well; he’s a great horse. He comes to us from a great organization, Godolphin, and I can’t say enough about the horse and the organization that started him out and did everything to make this happen.” The winning jockey, Junior Alvarado, celebrated his first victory in the Kentucky Derby.
This year's Derby also marked the return of Bob Baffert to Churchill Downs, following a three-year ban after his horse, Medina Spirit, tested positive for a legal medication that was not permitted on race day. Baffert had entered two horses in the Derby: Citizen Bull and Rodriguez. However, Rodriguez was scratched just days before the race due to a minor hoof issue, which is now expected to resolve in time for the Preakness Stakes in two weeks.
The scratched entry of Rodriguez led to frustration for owner Mike Repole, who expressed bewilderment regarding the veterinary decisions that led to the scratch. "With all the diagnostics we have taken, and the great vets we use, we are baffled and confused by what criteria vets are using to determine who scratches, who doesn’t and when," Repole posted on X.
This year's Derby lacked the buzz of the previous year's historic 150th running, compounded by the wet weather that led many fans to seek refuge under cover. Many attendees opted for plastic ponchos, demonstrating the challenges posed by the weather. Nevertheless, Derby Day remains a highlight in the horse racing calendar, showcasing one of the best undercards exclusive of the Breeders' Cup.
