Sovereignty won the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby Saturday at Churchill Downs, besting race favorite Journalism in a dramatic conclusion to the most prestigious event in the sport. Surging from the middle of the pack to the front and running nose-to-nose with Journalism near the finish line, the victor utilized the tactical speed that defined his race style to earn the biggest win of his racing career and take home $3.1 million of the $5 million payout.

The victory earned jockey Manuel Franco, recently released from the hospital due to an injury, his first Kentucky Derby title and trainer Bill Mott his second.