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UPI
a day ago
- Sport
- UPI
Triple Crown is done, but battle for 3-year-old honors will rage on
1 of 2 | Sovereignty, ridden by Junior Alvarado, wins the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. on Saturday. Photo by Mark Abraham/UPI | License Photo June 9 (UPI) -- The score stands Sovereignty 2, Journalism 0 at about halftime in this year's 3-year-old wars, but the game is far from over, with some of the year's biggest races slated for the remainder of the season. Sovereignty's definitive victory over runner-up Journalism in Saturday's Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, an almost duplicate of the Kentucky Derby finish, certainly gives his connections bragging rights -- for now. But it's worth noting Journalism had trouble early in the Derby and then, just two weeks later, won the Preakness Stakes. Sovereignty ducked the Preakness and ran in the Belmont on five weeks' rest. The playing field might even out a bit by Aug. 23, when the two could meet again in the Grade I Travers at Saratoga, the "Midsummer Derby." And the definitive showdown, all being well, could come in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar -- in Journalism's backyard. Both camps were talking about the prospect even as their colts cooled out from the Belmont. "We're looking to have a horse for the whole year and have a career with him, as well," said Michael Banahan, director of bloodstock for Godolphin, Sovereignty's owner and breeder. "There's races down the road we'd really like to win," Banahan said. "The Travers is a very special race. We've won it before .... Maybe if the horse is healthy and well, to try and get to Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup [Classic]. It's a race we've run in several times, but not had an opportunity to win it yet." Journalism's trainer, Michael McCarthy, noted Sovereignty had the advantage not only of five weeks before the Belmont, but also of running in familiar surroundings. "[Sovereignty] is a very good horse," McCarthy said. "He trains up here. He's been up here for a while. He's in his back yard. Let's hope everybody stays happy and healthy, and we'll see him in Del Mar hopefully in November, in our back yard." Asked about the Travers, he added, "It is possible. Yeah, you have to think about it." The other 3-year-olds There was more 3-year-old action around the country as the Triple Crown contenders dispersed. On Sunday, Godolphin moved the celebration to Churchill Downs, where East Avenue led virtually gate to wire in the $400,000 Grade III Matt Winn Stakes for 3-year-olds -- a race that attracted several more Triple Crown refugees. At Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert saddled both ends of the exacta in Sunday's $100,000 Affirmed Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Gaming scratched out of the Matt Winn and caught a flight back home to get the win with a front-running effort. Saturday's $500,000 Grade I Woody Stephens for 3-year-olds at Saratoga attracted a squadron of former Triple Crown contenders, all dropping back to 7 furlongs. At the end of that journey, it was an early defector from the Triple Crown trail, Patch Adams, out front by 2 1/4 lengths. Classic / Dirt Mile Raging Torrent spoiled the story line in Saturday's $1 million Grade I Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga, the "Met Mile." With attention focused on White Abarrio, star of the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic, and Fierceness, second in last year's edition, fans may have overlooked Raging Torrent's last-race victory in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile in Dubai -- and, in the race before that, his score in the Grade I Malibu on Opening Day at Santa Anita. Whatever the case, Raging Torrent, with Frankie Dettori up for the third straight time, led all the way in the Met Mile, contending with Fierceness before kicking away to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Just a Touch edged White Abarrio for third. Raging Torrent earned a "Win and You're In" spot in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, and Trainer Doug O'Neill said that race would be a logical target "and maybe a race between now and then." In other action: Distaff Dorth Vader, winless in her last seven starts, righted the ship in Friday's $500,000 Grade I Ogden Phipps Stakes at Saratoga. The 5-year-old Girvin mare chased pacesetting long shot Dazzling Move, came for that one near the furlong marker and drew off easily to win by 4 3/4 lengths. La Cara dominated Friday's $500,000 Grade I Acorn for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga, winning by 3 lengths while the favorite, previously undefeated Kentucky Oaks winner Good Cheer, didn't fire and finished fifth. Baffert saddled the 1-2 finishers in Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita. Cash Call, the odds-on favorite, rallied by pacesetting stablemate Howin at the top of the stretch and outfinished that one by 3/4 length. Sprint Book'em Danno closed relentlessly through deep stretch in Saturday's $400,000 Grade III True North Stakes at Saratoga, got by Mullikin some 70 yards from the finish and worked clear to a 1 1/4-length victory. Filly & Mare Sprint Kilwin won Sunday's $175,000 Leslie's Lady Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs by 1 1/4-lengths. Indy Bay stuck her head in front of Long Neck Paula in the final strides to win Sunday's $150,000 Jersey Girl Stakes at Saratoga. Turf Deterministic led the way in Sunday's weather-delayed $1 million Grade I Resorts World Casino Manhattan Handicap at Saratoga and fended off a pair of determined closers to win by a head. Integration was second, a neck in front of Far Bridge. A.P. Kid won Saturday's off-the-turf $300,000 Pennine Ridge Stakes for 3-year-olds at Saratoga. Tank scored by 3 lengths in Saturday's $75,000 Not Surprising Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Filly & Mare Turf She Feels Pretty ran her race in Friday's $750,000 Grade I New York Stakes, despite facing yielding turf for the first time, and got to the lead in the stretch en route to a 1/2-length victory. South African import Beach Bomb was second, 4 lengths ahead of Bellezza. Nitrogen won Saturday's off-the-turf $300,000 Wonder Again Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga by 17 lengths over a sloppy main track. And Starship Impulsive won Saturday's $75,000 Martha Washington Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Gulfstream Park by 4 1/2 lengths. Turf Mile Dynamic Pricing rallied from next-last to land Friday's $500,000 Grade I Just a Game Stakes at Saratoga by 3/4 length over the favorite, Excellent Truth. Turf Sprint Ag Bullet, third and beaten just a neck in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, earned the "Win and You're In" right to try again with a 2-length victory over My Boy Prince in Sunday's weather-delayed $500,000 Grade I Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga. Ways and Means won Friday's $300,000 Grade II Bed o' Roses Stakes for fillies and mares at Saratoga by 7 3/4 lengths over Scylla. On Saturday at Churchill Downs, Joe Shiesty won the $225,000 Mighty Beau Stakes by a neck over the favorite, Arrest Me Red. On Saturday, Flirt won Sunday's off-turf $175,000 Soaring Softly Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga by 5 1/2 furlongs.
New York Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Who won the 2025 Kentucky Derby? Full results and payouts
Three-year-old colt Sovereignty, listed at 9-1 odds at post time, won the 151st Kentucky Derby in 2:02.3 on a rainy Saturday at Churchill Downs, thundering down a sloppy track that coated every horse and jockey in mud. It was the first Derby victory for jockey Junior Alvarado and the second for trainer Bill Mott, whose horse Country House won in 2019. Advertisement Sovereignty started deep in the pack, as Bob Baffert's Citizen Bull took an early lead and held it for the race's first half. Then, in the final stretch, Sovereignty swung to the outside alongside Journalism, an early favorite to win. The pair surged to the front, both pushing for the lead. But Sovereignty dug out a final charge to cross the line first, leading Journalism by 1.5 lengths. Rounding out the top three was Baeza, who made the field Thursday after Baffert's other horse, Rodriquez, was scratched from the race. Final Gambit and Owen Almighty took fourth and fifth, respectively. The top-five finishers split the $5 million purse, with Sovereignty earning $3.1 million. Only 19 horses competed in Saturday's race, following Rodriguez and Grande's scratches. A $2 bet on a Sovereignty win paid out at $17.96. A $.50 trifecta of Sovereignty, Journalism and Baeza paid $115.56, and a superfecta with Final Gambit paid out $1,682.27 on a $1 bet. Here are the full results for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby: 1st: No. 18 Sovereignty 2nd: No. 8 Journalism 3rd: No. 21 Baeza 4th: No. 3 Final Gambit 5th: No. 20 Owen Almighty 6th: No. 9 Burnham Square 7th: No. 17 Sandman 8th: No. 12 East Avenue 9th: No. 19 Chunk of Gold 10th: No. 14 Tiztasic 11th: No. 16 Coal Battle 12th: No. 7 Luxor Cafe 13th: No. 2 Neoequos 14th: No. 13 Publisher 15th: No. 1 Citizen Bull 16th: No. 5 American Promise 17th: No. 15 Render Judgment 18th: No. 11 Flying Mohawk 19th: No. 6 Admire Daytona
CNN
04-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Sovereignty wins the 151st Kentucky Derby
Sovereignty won the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. The 2025 edition of the longest continuously held major sporting event in the United States featured all of the pomp and pageantry that has become the hallmark of 'The Run for the Roses.' After a slate of preliminary races, American gymnast Simone Biles, an 11-time Olympic medalist, gave the 'riders up' call for the jockeys to mount their rides in the paddock. Moments later, the bugler sounded the call to the post and the horses began to enter the famed Churchill Downs Racetrack as the University of Louisville marching band and choir performed 'My Old Kentucky Home.' After a heavy dose of rain earlier in the day, the 19 horses took to the muddy track in front of 147,406 spectators under cool, overcast conditions. When the starting gates opened, it was Citizen Bull and Neoequos taking the lead to set the pace early, while the eventual frontrunners found themselves stuck in traffic towards the rear of the pack. Citizen Bull and Neoequos were joined by American Promise and East Avenue as the leaders raced four-wide down the back stretch. As the horses raced around the final turn, Journalism and Sovereignty began to impose their wills on the rest of the field. The two horses ran neck-and-neck as they passed the rest of the pack on the outside. The pair reached the final sixteenth of a mile running nose-to-nose before Sovereignty began to pull ahead, finishing a length and a half ahead of pre-race favorite Journalism. Baeza, meanwhile, was able to follow the two leaders as they made their push to the front and surged to a third place finish, just half a length behind Journalism. The three-year-old Sovereignty, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Venezuelan jockey Junior Alvarado, entered the race as one of the favorites at 9-1 odds to win. Alvarado, a first-time winner at the Derby gave all the credit to Sovereignty. 'It was him, Soverignty, who got me all the way to the wire,' Alvarado told the NBC broadcast after the race. 'It meant the world to me and my family here, I thought I had a great chance. … I was so confident all week. … It's more than even a dream come true to have it done with (Mott).' Mott was appreciative of the atmosphere at Churchill Downs, saying 'it'll take a while to sink in' after getting his second career Derby win. 'This one got there the right way,' Mott said. 'He's done well. He's a great horse. He's come from a great organization and I can't say enough about the horse and the organization that started him out and did everything to make this happen.' Bob Baffert, a six-time Kentucky Derby winner, made his return to Churchill Downs on Saturday after a three-year absence. Until last year, the Hall of Famer was banned from running horses at the first leg of the triple crown after his horse Medina Spirit's failed drug test in 2021. However, it wasn't as successful as he would have hoped after his two horses failed to win. Citizen Bull finished in 15th while Rodriguez had to withdraw earlier this week due to a bruised foot. The next leg of horse racing's triple crown will take place in two weeks at The Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland, followed by the final race on June 7 at the Belmont Stakes. The Belmont Stakes is being held in Saratoga Springs, New York, for the second consecutive year due to ongoing construction the race's typical venue of Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. This story has been updated with additional details. CNN's Jacob Lev contributed to this report.
USA Today
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
East Avenue trainer, jockey, owner and more to know about 2025 Kentucky Derby horse
East Avenue trainer, jockey, owner and more to know about 2025 Kentucky Derby horse Show Caption Hide Caption Bob Baffert: Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown championships and controversy Horse racing trainer Bob Baffert has multiple Kentucky Derby wins, two Triple Crown champions, and a career marked by both triumph and controversy. East Avenue will enter the Kentucky Derby off a runner-up finish in the Blue Grass Stakes on April 8 at Keeneland East Avenue was the favorite in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile but finished ninth after stumbling at the start East Avenue is one of 20 horses expected to enter the 2025 Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs. Spots for the Run for the Roses are earned by gaining points through a series of Kentucky Derby prep races that began last September. The post-position draw for the Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, April 26. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. East Avenue will enter the Kentucky Derby off a second-place finish in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes on April 8 at Keeneland. He currently ranks 13th on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with 60. Color: Bay. Bred in: Kentucky. Sire: Medaglia d'Oro. Dam: Dance Music, by Ghostzapper. Price tag: Homebred. Owner: Godolphin (Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum). Godolphin is 0 for 12 in the Derby, best finish coming with Essential Quality (third) in 2021. Trainer: Brendan Walsh. He's 0 for 1 in the Derby, finishing ninth with Plus Que Parfait in 2019. Jockey: Manny Franco. He's 0 for 5 in the Derby, best finish coming with Tiz the Law (second) in 2020. Record: 2-1-0 in five starts. Career earnings: $654,395. Road to the Kentucky Derby points: 60 (No. 13). Last race: Second in Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes on April 8 at Keeneland, a nose behind Burnham Square. Running style: Front-runner. Notes: East Avenue won his first two starts as a 2-year-old and was the 9-5 favorite in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last November but stumbled badly at the start and finished ninth. He finished 10th in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in his 3-year-old debut before rebounding as the runner-up in the Blue Grass. … All three of East Avenue's in-the-money finishes have come in Kentucky — two at Keeneland and one at Ellis Park. … Medaglia d'Oro, East Avenue's sire, raced in all three Triple Crown races in 2002, finishing fourth in the Kentucky Derby, eighth in the Preakness and second in the Belmont. He went on to win six graded stakes, including the 2002 Travers, and was the runner-up as the favorite in the 2002 and 2003 Breeders' Cup Classics. What they're saying: 'I loved how he battled,' Walsh said after the Blue Grass. 'He looked down the straight like he was going to fold, and he didn't fold. I think it's a good sign for the future, and I think he's a horse that can still improve.' Last May, NBC Sports announced a partnership with Churchill Downs to present the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock through 2032. The extension includes multiplatform rights to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Derby and Oaks Day programming, which will be presented on NBC, Peacock, USA Network and additional NBCU platforms. You can stream the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Fubo and Peacock. Post time for the 151st Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. More Kentucky Derby: Five things to know about 2025 field as draw approaches April 26 Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@ Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Churchill Downs: home of the Kentucky Derby
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — Churchill Downs has been the home of the Kentucky Derby since 1875. Officials with the racetrack call it the world's most legendary racetrack. Churchill Downs is located in Louisville, Kentucky on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track. A release obtained by Eyewitness News says the track is able to provide a seat to approximately 60,000 people. Churchill Downs also features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, and Kentucky Oaks. The track also conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the fall. The track can hold up to 1,400 horses in their barns and stables. The saddling paddock and the stable area also feature a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. Gaming is also a feature of the racetrack. Churchill Downs's website features experts who provide predictions for races. Their website also has instructions on how to place bets. Two horses competing in the 2025 Kentucky Derby are Tri-State natives. East Avenue got his first victory this summer at Ellis Park. Also competing is Owen Almighty, who won the Ellis Park Juvenile. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
