The unbeaten Curlin colt Journalism topped the market for the 151st Run for the Roses. Too good for the reopposing Baeza and Citizen Bull in the Santa Anita Derby, he looked to have solid claims of handing Michael McCarthy a first win in the race. The Mark Casse-trained Sandman came next in the betting following a career-best victory in the Arkansas Derby, with the runner-up that day, Publisher, also in the lineup.
Luxor Cafe and Admire Daytona headed to Churchill Downs from the Land of the Rising Sun. Of that duo, the unbeaten American Pharoah colt Luxur Cafe looked to boast the strongest claims.
Of the others, a couple of runners carrying silks instantly recognisable to European racing fans caught the eye. Going blue of Godolphin, Sovereignty arrived on the back of an eye-catching second in the Florida Derby. Hailing from the yard of 2020 winner Brad Cox, the hat-trick-seeking Final Gambit sported the famous green and pink of Juddmonte.
Result
- 1st – Sovereignty 8/1, Jockey: Junior Alvarado, Trainer: William Mott
- 2nd – Journalism 17/5F, Jockey: Umberto Rispoli, Trainer: Michael McCarthy
- 3rd – Baeza 139/10, Jockey: Flavien Prat, Trainer: John Shirreffs
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £2,480,000
- 2nd – £800,000
- 3rd – £400,000
- 4th – £200,000
- 5th – £120,000
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- US Win ($2) – $17.96
- US Show ($2) – 1st – $5.58, 2nd – $3.70. 3rd – $8.38
- Exacta ($2) – $48.32
- Trifecta ($1) – $231.12
Recap
Rain in the lead-up to the race created an extremely sloppy surface, suggesting stamina may be the number one requirement for success. That opinion was reinforced when Citizen Bull and Neoequos shot to the front to ensure this was a stern test. Owen Almighty followed them through to the outside, with Godolphin’s second-string East Avenue and American Promise also prominent early. Final Gambit suffered most in a rough beginning to the race and found himself adrift at the back of the back around the first bend. Sovereignty hadn’t fared much better when stumbling soon after the start. Of the fancied contenders, Journalism gained the best early position towards the rail in midfield.
Citizen Bull and Neoequos continued to blaze a trail into the backstretch. American Promise and Owen Almighty came next, followed by East Avenue and Admire Daytona. Burnham Square travelled nicely in sixth and tight against the inside rail.
Turning for home, Neoequos grabbed the lead, having mastered Citizen Bull. However, the dangers were beginning to emerge from behind. Journalism switched to the outer and began to make progress, with Sovereignty advancing and tracking his move. Final Gambit sprouted wings from well in the rear but surely had too much to do.
Neoequos cracked halfway up the run-in, leaving Owen Almighty to lead at the two-furlong poll, only for Journalism and Sovereignty to forge past on his outer side. Final Gambit continued his charge from an implausible position whilst, having suffered trouble in running around the turn, Baeza emerged as a threat from out of the pack.
In a gruelling conclusion, Sovereignty stayed on best to hit the front inside the final furlong and score by a length and a half. Journalism just held on for second from the fast-finishing Baeza, with Final Gambit back in fourth.
Bill Mott landed his second Kentucky Derby, following the success of Country House in 2019, and a first for jockey Junior Alverado. Godolphin’s first Kentucky Derby completed a remarkable weekend for the owner/breeder operation, which also included wins in the Kentucky Oaks, the 2000 Guineas, and the 1000 Guineas.
Runners
- 1. Citizen Bull – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Bob Baffert, Jockey: Martin Garcia
- 2. Neoequos – SP: 43/1, Trainer: Saffie A Joseph Jr, Jockey: Luis Saez
- 3. Final Gambit – SP: 176/10, Trainer: Brad H Cox, Jockey: Brian Luan Machado
- 4. Rodriguez – Non-runner
- 5. American Promise – SP: 125/10, Trainer: D Wayne Lukas, Jockey: Nik Juarez
- 6. Admire Daytona – SP: 43/1, Trainer: Yukihiro Kato, Jockey: Christophe-Patrice Lemaire
- 7. Luxor Cafe – SP: 33/4, Trainer: Noriyuki Hori, Jockey: Joao Moreira
- 8. Journalism – SP: 17/5F, Trainer: Michael McCarthy, Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
- 9. Burnham Square – SP: 197/10, Trainer: Ian R Wilkes, Jockey: Brian Joseph
- 10. Grande – Non-runner
- 11. Flying Mohawk – SP: 28/1, Trainer: D Whitworth Beckman, Jockey: Joseph D Ramos
- 12. East Avenue – SP: 42/1, Trainer: Brendan P Walsh, Jockey: Manuel Franco
- 13. Publisher – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Steve Asmussen, Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr
- 14. Tiztastic – SP: 248/10, Trainer: Steven Asmussen, Jockey: Joel Rosario
- 15. Render Judgment – SP: 206/10, Trainer: Kenneth McPeek, Jockey: Julien R Leparoux
- 16. Coal Battle – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Lonnie Briley, Jockey: Juan P Vargas
- 17. Sandman – SP: 23/4, Trainer: Mark Casse, Jockey: Jose L Ortiz
- 18. Sovereignty – SP: 8/1, Trainer: William Mott, Jockey: Junior Alvarado
- 19. Chunk Of Gold – SP: 29/1, Trainer: Ethan W West, Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
- 20. Owen Almighty – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Brian A Lynch, Jockey: Javier Castellano
- 21. Baeza – SP: 139/10, Trainer: John Shirreffs, Jockey: Flavien Prat
Non-Runners
Grande (right foot front bruise), Rodriguez (right front foot bruise)