Who won the Kentucky Derby? Sovereignty reigns in mud-filled comeback win

Billy Heyen

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Who won the Kentucky Derby? Sovereignty reigns in mud-filled comeback win image

Sovereignty bided his time.

The 3-year old and top-three favorite at the Kentucky Derby spent most of the race at the back of the field.

But then there he came, around the outside, just on the right shoulder of race favorite Journalism.

Sovereignty was regarded as one of the best closers in the field, and boy, did he ever close.

There he went, past everyone, and into horse racing history.

The call on the NBC broadcast was perfect: "Sovereignty rules the Kentucky Derby!"

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This was one of the muddiest races in recent Derby memory.

It didn't seem to bother Sovereignty, though.

The 151st running of the historic race at Churchill Downs featured some strong early leaders falling off the pace.

Into that void came two of the favorites, Sovereignty and Journalism.

Journalism didn't have quite the juice of this race's king, though.

Sovereignty rightfully earned his roses, and his crown.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle