• Loading stock data...
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

Sovereignty Wins Kentucky Derby, $3.1M Purse

Heading into the race, Journalism was favored to win with 3–1 odds, with Sovereignty (5–1) holding the next-best chance.

Jeremy O’Brien/FOS

Sovereignty has won the 151st Kentucky Derby, edging out the favored horse Journalism despite a late push on a muddy track.

Sovereignty’s team will receive $3.1 million of the $5 million purse, usually with 80% going to the owner, 10% going to the jockey, and 10% going to the trainer. Last year, Churchill Downs raised the purse from $3 million to $5 million, the largest prize in the event’s history, and the biggest payout in horse racing’s Triple Crown. The winnings are unchanged this year.

Last year’s winner, Mystik Dan, took home that $3.1 million award in a historically tight race. Churchill Downs saw its highest attendance since 2018 with 156,710 fans and its best TV audience since 1989 with an average of 16.7 million viewers watching at home. Churchill Downs Incorporated, which runs the derby, had in 2024 a record revenue of $2.7 billion, up 11% from the year before.

Heading into the race, Journalism was favored to win with 3–1 odds, with Sovereignty (5–1) holding the next-best chance.

Baeza finished in third place, and Final Gambit was fourth.

Last year, bettors set a new record of $210.7 million wagered on the race, which was $20 million more than the previous high set the year before. Betting on all Derby Day races also hit a new mark last year at $320.5 million.

New to Churchill Downs this year are the $85 million starting gate courtyard and pavilion. Last week, Churchill Downs announced it would pause a $920 million renovation due to “increasing uncertainty surrounding construction costs related to tariff and trade disputes as well as current macro-economic conditions.” An additional $30 million in renovations to be completed by next year were announced at the same time as the larger pause.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 14, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; President Donald Trump wave during the second quarter of the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field

‘Political Gold’: Trump Putting His Stamp on College Sports 

Trump has embraced executive action on hot-button college sports issues.
Chad Ochocinco

Shannon Sharpe, Chad Ochocinco Settle $20 Million Defamation Suit 

It’s the second multimillion-dollar lawsuit Sharpe has settled in recent weeks.

WNBA Struggling to Prevent Repeat Dildo Incidents

The league appears to have no answers to the copycats plaguing games.
Tennessee Volunteers forward Igor Miličić Jr. (7) guards Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) during the second half of a game Sunday, March 30, 2025, during the Elite Eight round of the NCAA March Madness tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Houston defeated Tennessee 69-50.

Sportsbooks Still Hesitant to Dive Into Prediction Markets

Sports betting giants are all monitoring the controversial space.

Featured Today

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
DiJonai Carrington
August 7, 2025

This WNBA Trade Deadline Could Be League’s Last Snoozer

A new CBA could give GMs more flexibility.
August 7, 2025

LAFC’s Record Son Deal Brings Global Buzz and Local Pride

Los Angeles has the largest Korean community in the country.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Apr 6, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Marc Leishman (center) celebrates with his teammates after winning the final round of the LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral.
August 7, 2025

Trump Golf Courses Secure 2026 Stops on LIV, PGA

For the fifth consecutive year, LIV golf returns to a Trump course.
August 7, 2025

More Dildo Throwing During WNBA Games Leads to Second Arrest

The 18-year-old threw a dildo that hit another fan and his young niece.
August 7, 2025

Smelling Salts Not Banned in the NFL, but Teams Can’t Hand Them..

Teams are banned from supplying smelling salts to their players.
August 6, 2025

US Open Breaks Prize Money Record, Still Leads All Grand Slams

The total 2025 US Open prize money is $85 million.