On a sloppy track at the end of a soggy day at Churchill Downs, Sovereignty went up against heavy favorite Journalism and left him in the mud.
Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado took home the honors in the 151st Kentucky Derby. Their race was the main event, but thousands of spectators spent the day dressed for the occasion — and the weather.
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Gray clouds hovered all day over Churchill Downs on May 3, 2025.
Justin Hicks / LPM
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Sovereignty won the 151st Kentucky Derby, with Journalism and Baeza following in second and third place.
Ty Lancaster / LPM
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A woman holds a poncho over her white outfit as rain falls ahead of the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2025.
Justin Hicks / LPM
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Alex Rossboast (left) said his wife helped him make his peacock-themed getup.
Breya Jones / LPM
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Stephanie Low of Florida grimaced as the horse she bet on fell behind in the fifth race on Kentucky Derby day.
Justin Hicks / LPM
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Aside from the usual Derby fashions, rain ponchos and jackets were a common sight on May 3, 2025.
Justin Hicks / LPM
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Wind billows through a woman's rain poncho at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2025.
Justin Hicks / LPM
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In keeping with Kentucky Derby tradition, attendees wore hats of all kinds on May 3, 2025.
Justin Hicks / LPM
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Ricky Guyton dances in the stands at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2025.
Justin Hicks / LPM
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Jockey Luis Saez rode to victory on Good Cheer in the Kentucky Oaks on May 2, 2025. He also competed in an undercard race and the Kentucky Derby the following day.
Justin Hicks / LPM
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A muddy track left jockeys and horses messy throughout the day on May 3, 2025.
Ty Lancaster / LPM
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Kopion, with jockey Kazushi Kimura, won the Derby City Distaff earlier in the day on May 3, 2025.
Ty Lancaster / LPM
Justin Hicks and Ty Lancaster contributed photography.
