By Beth Harris
LOUISVILLE — Sovereignty outdueled 3-1 favourite Journalism down the stretch to win the 151st Kentucky Derby within the slop on Saturday.
Coach Invoice Mott received his first Derby in 2019, additionally run on a sloppy observe, when Nation Home was elevated to first after Most Safety crossed the end line first and was disqualified after a 22-minute delay.
This time, he knew immediately.
Sovereignty snapped an 0 for 13 Derby skid for proprietor Godolphin, the racing secure of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
It was fairly a weekend for the sheikh. His filly, Good Cheer, received the Kentucky Oaks on Friday and earlier Saturday, Ruling Court docket received the two,000 Guineas in Britain.
Sovereignty lined 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.31 and paid $17.96 to win at 7-1 odds.
Journalism discovered bother within the first flip and jockey Umberto Rispoli moved him to the skin. He and Sovereignty attached on the eighth pole earlier than Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado pulled away.
Baeza was third, Closing Gambit was fourth and Owen Almighty completed fifth.
Rain made for a soggy day, with the Churchill Downs grime strip listed as sloppy and horse racing followers defending their fancy hats and clothes with clear plastic ponchos.
