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South China Morning Post
08-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Why are Kentucky Derby winners skipping Preakness, chance for Triple Crown?
Sovereignty, which won the Kentucky Derby on May 3, will not compete at Preakness, forgoing the chance to win the Triple Crown. Photo: TNS Sovereignty will be the fifth Derby champion in seven years to miss the event in Baltimore Just a few days after winning the Kentucky Derby, Sovereignty was ruled out of running in the Preakness Stakes. It is the second time in four years the owner and trainer of the Derby champion opted to skip the Preakness in favour of the Belmont Stakes in June. Rich Strike also bypassed the Preakness in 2022 after winning at Churchill Downs at odds of 80-1. Country House did not run in 2019 because of illness after getting elevated to Derby winner when Maximum Security was disqualified for interference, the races were run out of order in 2020, and Medina Spirit ran and finished third in the 2021 Preakness after being disqualified from his first-place finish in the Derby for a positive drug test. That means this is the fifth time in seven years that the Preakness gates open at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore without even a chance of a Triple Crown being won. That had happened only once in the previous 33 years from 1986 to 2018, and that was because a horse was retired because of injury after taking the Run for the Roses. Why is this happening? Horse racing has changed from its heyday, when stars of the sport such as War Admiral, Secretariat and Seattle Slew were used to running every couple of weeks. Breeding, money and other factors have changed that, and the top three-year-old horses eligible for the Triple Crown race far less often, with bigger stretches in between. 'Most trainers hate running their horses back in two weeks,' NBC Sports analyst Randy Moss said. 'They feel like it's bad for the horses.' Beginning in the early 21st century, many of the Derby horses who finish between second and 20th started getting more rest as they wait five weeks for the Belmont. It was essentially automatic that the Derby winner would go, though not any more. 'The trainers of Derby winners that do run back in the Preakness do it out of a sense of tradition – not because they like it,' Moss said. Sovereignty's Bill Mott made that clear the morning after his horse passed Journalism down the stretch in the mud at Churchill Downs with a record audience watching, casting doubt on the Preakness. 'We want to do what's best for the horse,' Mott told reporters in Louisville, Kentucky on Sunday. 'Of course, you always think about a Triple Crown, and that's not something we're not going to think about.' Does something need to change? The debate has been raging for decades about horses not being able to handle the grind of three premier races over a span of five weeks. That was primarily because no one swept the Triple Crown between Affirmed in 1978 and American Pharoah in 2015, a 37-year drought that made industry stakeholders question tradition versus modern-day changes. Justify doing it in 2018 to give the sport a pair of Triple Crown champions in four years quieted that talk. The recent uncertainty about Derby winners going to the Preakness reignited the chatter. Prominent owner Mike Repole shared a proposal on social media on Tuesday that would move the Belmont up to second in the rotation and shift the Preakness back to provide more spacing. Others have suggested moving the Preakness back to the first Saturday in June and the Belmont to the first Saturday in July. What is the solution? No one really knows. And do there need to be seismic changes like the pitch clock in baseball? After all, the previous two Derby winners – Mystik Dan last year and Mage in 2023 – wheeled back after two weeks to finish in the money at the Preakness. They did not win, but their trainers wanted to give it a shot. And Bob-Baffert-trained American Pharoah and Justify completing the Triple Crown showed it was possible. 'We'll see Triple Crown winners because there will occasionally be horses like American Pharoah and like Justify who are good enough to blow up any of the current thoughts about spacing,' Moss said. And trainers who are not worried about it. Baffert and 89-year-old fellow Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas have shown a willingness to go for it after winning the Derby – and even when they do not. Lukas intends to run American Promise in the Preakness after a 16th place finish in Kentucky. Others have chosen to play it more safely, and if that becomes the trend, it puts the future of the Preakness in peril.
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kentucky Derby 2025: How did Bob Baffert's horse do?
Kentucky Derby 2025: How did Bob Baffert's horse do? Bob Baffert will have to wait at least another year before he can claim a seventh Kentucky Derby and officially crown himself the King of Churchill Downs. In Saturday's 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, Baffert's entry Citizen Bull set the pace early off the rail but ran out of gas late to finish a disappointing 15th. Baffert returned to Churchill Downs for the first time since 2021. That was the year he thought he had captured a record-setting seventh Kentucky Derby victory with Medina Spirit, only for a post-race test to show a banned substance that resulted in the horse's disqualification. The infamous trainer was banned from the sport's most famous track for three years before he was allowed to return in 2025 with entries Citizen Bull and Rodriguez — the latter of which was scratched earlier in the week. Per USA Today: The horse tested positive for the corticosteroid betamethasone in a post-race drug test, becoming the highest-profile horse doping case within the sport. It was also not the first failed drug test involving a Baffert-trained horse for various reasons. Medina Spirit's violation was later confirmed after a second positive test. Medina Spirit was disqualified and Churchill Downs, Incorporated handed Baffert a two-year suspension. It was just the second winner in the Kentucky Derby's history to be tarnished by a drug-related disqualification. Baffert vehemently denied he gave Medina Spirit the steroid and alleged contamination or tampering. He filed an appeal with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and a lawsuit against Churchill Downs in February 2022 hoping to overturn the suspension. But Churchill Downs officials ultimately extended Baffert's suspension because of his continued efforts to discredit the positive test. That all made for an awkward return with Baffert audibly booed during the livestream of last Saturday's post position draw. Churchill Downs avoided an even more awkward moment with Baffert in the Winner's Circle. At least, for now.
France 24
04-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Sovereignty rules in 151st Kentucky Derby
Untroubled by the sloppy track after a rainy day in Louisville, Sovereignty gained control in the final furlong to give Venezuelan jockey Junior Alvarado a first Kentucky Derby win. "It means the world to me," a mud-splattered Alvarado told broadcaster NBC as he made his way aboard Sovereignty toward the winner's circle. Journalism, the heavy favorite as he arrived on a four-race winning streak, finished second and Baeza, who got into the field on Friday after two horses were scratched, was third. For Mott, it was officially a second Kentucky Derby victory, but it was the first time he got to see his horse hit the wire first. He trained Country House, who was declared the winner in 2019 after Maximum Security was disqualified. "This one got there the right way," Mott said. "It'll take a while to sink in." It was a first Kentucky Derby victory for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Godolphin in their 13th attempt in the 1 1/4-mile Run for the Roses. And it capped an impressive global week for Godolphin. Their Good Cheer won the Kentucky Oaks for fillies at Churchill Downs on Friday and they won the English 2000 Guineas with Ruling Court on Saturday. Trainer Bob Baffert, who shares the record with six Kentucky Derby winners, was in the spotlight as he returned to the race after a three-year ban after his Medina Spirit was stripped of the win in 2021 after failing a post-race drug test. Baffert's Citizen Bull broke from the first post and quickly came off the rail as he powered to the early lead. Sovereignty, sent off at 7-1 in the $5 million race, was well back at the half-mile mark but moving up as they turned for home. As Citizen Bull faded, jockey Umberto Rispoli brought Journalism to the front on the inside. Alvarado had to work his way past Chunk of Gold and then had Sovereignty in his sights. They were neck-and-neck in the straight before Sovereignty's final surge carried him to a 1 1/2-length win. Now Sovereignty's connections will decide if the colt will be pointed at the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel in US flat racing's Triple crown on May 17.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sovereignty surges past race favorite Journalism to win the 151st Kentucky Derby
Jockey Junior Alvarado celebrates atop Sovereignty after winning the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. Sovereignty pulled away from Journalism down the final stretch to win. (Abbie Parr / Associated Press) Bill Mott is in the Hall of Fame. He won the Kentucky Derby in 2019, but it was by disqualification. The trainer never got to see his horse cross the finish line first. Until now. In an exciting stretch run Sovereignty and Journalism battled until the final strides when Sovereignty pulled ahead to win the 151st Kentucky Derby by 1½ lengths Saturday. Advertisement Sovereignty came to this spot by finishing second in the Florida Derby. But this time he had to navigate the 19-horse field to win on a cold and drizzly day before 147,406 at Churchill Downs. Journalism, the 7-2 favorite, got crowded and shuffled back at the start of the race but going around the far turn, jockey Umberto Rispoli got him to start picking off horses. Sovereignty was following right behind him. When the horses hit the top of the stretch, it was clear it was down to the two horses. The start of the race was very crowded on the inside. Citizen Bull, the 2-year-old Eclipse champion, went into the lead and moved toward the center of the track. The first half mile of the 1 ¼-mile race was run in a fast but not brutal 46.23 seconds. By the end, all that was left were the closers as most of the early speed faded out. Advertisement Baeza, who entered the race on Thursday after Rodriguez scratched out, finished a strong third. The rest of the field, in order was 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 paid $17.96 to win. 'He made up a lot of ground in a hurry,' Mott said. "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 rider was Junior Alvarado. It was his first Kentucky Derby win. Sovereignty, ridden by Junior Alvarado, crosses the finish line to win the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. (Jeff Roberson / Associated Press) This marked the return of Bob Baffert to Churchill Downs after the track banned him from racing for three years. The move was made after Medina Spirit tested positive for a legal medication, but not legal on race day. It led to a series of court fights in which Churchill Downs prevailed. Advertisement Baffert brought two horses to run in the Derby, Citizen Bull and Rodriguez. However, Rodriguez was scratched Thursday when he had sensitivity in one of his hooves. The injury was not considered serious and he is now pointed to run in the Preakness Stakes in two weeks. Rodriguez won the Wood Memorial a month ago at Aqueduct. Second in that race was Grande, who scratched Friday morning. The horse had been battling a slightly cracked heel but the X-rays were clean. It prompted an angry response from owner Mike Repole. 'With all the diagnostics we have taken, the great vets we use, and the experience of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, we are baffled and confused by what criteria vets are using to determine who scratches, who doesn't and when … especially when every diagnostic tells us the horse is safe and sound,' Repole posted on X. Through the years, Repole has had three horses scratch from the Derby. Sovereignty, ridden by Junior Alvarado, center, crosses the finish line to win the Kentucky Derby. (Abbie Parr / Associated Press) The scratch of Rodriguez allowed Baeza, second in the Santa Anita Derby to Journalism, in the field. The horse came to Churchill Downs without a guaranteed spot in the race. Because the scratch came after the draw, Baeza had to start in the farthest outside post. Advertisement This year's Derby did not have the buzz of last year's, the 150th running of the race. And the wet weather also dampened the enthusiasm of some fans, many of whom moved to covered areas. Plastic ponchos were the favored attire on the day. Derby Day has the best undercard of any day exclusive of the Breeders' Cup. Among the highlights: Mindframe ($9.08 to win) won the $1 million Churchill Downs Stakes, a seven furlong race. It marked the return of Nysos, who hadn't raced in 15 months. He was Baffert's 'A' horse for last year's Derby until he was injured. He hasn't raced list the Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. Nysos and Banishing finished in a dead heat for second. There were four horses across the finish line within a length of each other. Macho Music ($29.86) pulled an upset in winning the $600,000 Pat Day Mile. Normally when a 13-1 goes to the lead early, they back up at the end. But not Macho Music. Baffert finished second and third with Madaket Road and Gaming. 'I thought the winner was going to come back a little bit but he never did,' said Irad Ortiz Jr., Madaket Road's jockey. Madaket Road had enough points to qualify for the Derby but Baffert thought the distance of the Derby might have been too much. Trainer Richard Mandella doesn't ship often to Churchill Downs, but when he does he means business. He proved it again when Kopion ($7.48) won the $1 million Derby City Distaff. Kopion is a daughter of Omaha Beach, who Mandella brought to the Derby as the favorite in 2019. The horse had to scratch. Baffert's Hope Road finished second making it a Southern California exacta. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Sovereignty surges pass race favorite Journalism to win the 151st Kentucky Derby
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bill Mott is in the Hall of Fame. He won the Kentucky Derby in 2019, but it was by disqualification. The trainer never got to see his horse cross the finish line first. Until now. In an exciting stretch run Sovereignty and Journalism battled until the final strides when Sovereignty pulled ahead to win the 151st Kentucky Derby by 1½ lengths Saturday. Sovereignty came to this spot by finishing second in the Florida Derby. But this time he had to navigate the 19-horse field to win on a cold and drizzly day before 147,406 at Churchill Downs. Journalism, the 7-2 favorite, got crowded and shuffled back at the start of the race but going around the far turn, jockey Umberto Rispoli got him to start picking off horses. Sovereignty was following right behind him. When the horses hit the top of the stretch, it was clear it was down to the two horses. The start of the race was very crowded on the inside. Citizen Bull, the 2-year-old Eclipse champion, went into the lead and moved toward the center of the track. The first half mile of the 1 ¼-mile race was run in a fast but not brutal 46.23 seconds. By the end, all that was left were the closers as most of the early speed faded out. Baeza, who entered the race on Thursday after Rodriguez scratched out, finished a strong third. The rest of the field, in order was 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 paid $17.96 to win. 'He made up a lot of ground in a hurry,' Mott said. '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 rider was Junior Alvarado. It was his first Kentucky Derby win. This marked the return of Baffert to Churchill Downs after the track banned him from racing for three years. The move was made after Medina Spirit tested positive for a legal medication, but not legal on race day. It led to a series of court fights in which Churchill Downs prevailed. Baffert brought two horses to run in the Derby, Citizen Bull and Rodriguez. However, Rodriguez was scratched Thursday when he had sensitivity in one of his hooves. The injury was not considered serious and he is now pointed to run in the Preakness Stakes in two weeks. Rodriguez won the Wood Memorial a month ago at Aqueduct. Second in that race was Grande, who scratched Friday morning. The horse had been battling a slightly cracked heel but the X-rays were clean. It prompted an angry response from owner Mike Repole. 'With all the diagnostics we have taken, the great vets we use, and the experience of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, we are baffled and confused by what criteria vets are using to determine who scratches, who doesn't and when … especially when every diagnostic tells us the horse is safe and sound,' Repole posted on X. Through the years, Repole has had three horses scratch from the Derby. The scratch of Rodriguez allowed Baeza, second in the Santa Anita Derby to Journalism, in the field. The horse came to Churchill Downs without a guaranteed spot in the race. Because the scratch came after the draw, Baeza had to start in the farthest outside post. This year's Derby did not have the buzz of last year's, the 150th running of the race. And the wet weather also dampened the enthusiasm of some fans, many of whom moved to covered areas. Plastic ponchos were the favored attire on the day. Derby Day has the best undercard of any day exclusive of the Breeders' Cup. Among the highlights:
