On the evening of May 3, 2025, there was something special in the winds in Louisville, Kentucky. On the maidan of Churchill Downs, the track was soaked in rain, and the unceasing gaze of about 1.4 lakh people – everyone was waiting to see who would become this year’s Kentucky Derby champion. And then happened a moment no one can forget — Sovereignty, with Junior Alvarado, running like lightning, crossing the finish line on first number, and dropping journalism, which was everyone’s favorite.
This race not only showed a horse’s victory, but everyone saw a jockey’s dream come true. This was the first Kentucky Derby title for Venezuela’s Junior Alvarado, and the pride visible in his eyes was no less than an Oscar-winning moment. Sovereignty’s trainer, Bill Mott, had won the Derby previously as well in 2019 — when his horse was declared the winner after a disqualification. But this time, there was no confusion. Every moment, every second was telling a story
The time of the race was 2 minutes and 2 seconds. But these two minutes became a lifelong memory in the world’s most famous horse race. This year, 19 horses took part in the race, but it was a new experience for each horse. As Amy Lawyer, equine administration chair at the University of Louisville, said, “Such a big crowd, so many horses, and such a big race — it’s not easy for a single horse to handle it all naturally.” This unpredictability is what makes this race the most exciting. It’s why it is called “the most exciting 2 minutes in sports.”
But rain made a big difference. The wet track made things even more difficult. Each horse reacts differently — some perform well in such conditions, some do not. Sovereignty made this muddy track his friend and left everyone behind. The prize for this race was $5 million and a title that every jockey and trainer dreams of. But this year something else made headlines — the comeback of Bob Baffert. In 2021, Medina Spirit was banned for 3 years after his drug test came out positive. Medina Spirit later collapsed and died during training, an emotional and controversial moment. This year his horse Citizen Bull was in the race. If he had won, Baffert would have made a record that no one else has made — the 7th Kentucky Derby title. But his dream could not be fulfilled this time.
Questions were also raised about Churchill Downs a few years ago. In 2023, the track was temporarily closed after 12 horses died in a month. Many safety reforms have been implemented since then such as making the track surface safer and making horse health checks more strict. No horses broke down this year, which was a positive sign.
The Kentucky Derby is not just a race — it’s a spirit, a culture, a passion. When 140,000 people cheer together, when people stand in the rain to watch the horses run, then we understand why this race is so iconic around the world.
Sovereignty’s victory reminded us that sometimes even an underdog can make history. Jockeys like Junior Alvarado show us that hard work and enthusiasm never go to waste. And Churchill Downs also showed that no matter how much controversy there is, if there is an intention for improvement, trust can be won back.
The 2025 Kentucky Derby is over, but the moments it provided will be remembered. Rain, restlessness, cheering crowds, and a last-moment twist – this race was everything, just not a win.
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