The 1.5-mile race will feature racehorses Sovereignty and Journalism, the winners of the 2025 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, respectively. Journalism had been the odds favorite (4-1) heading into the Derby, while Sovereignty entered the race at 9-1 odds, but Sovereignty gained the edge in the final moments on the muddy Churchill Downs track.

With Long Island-based jockey Junior Alvarado aboard, Sovereignty overtook Journalism in the stretch and ran away to a three-length victory, as Baeza again captured third. Sovereignty, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, takes home $1.2 million of the total purse of $2 million. He finished the mile and a quarter in 2:00.69 and paid $7.00 to win.

Mott was asked about the decision to skip Preakness in his post-race interview following Sovereignty's victory.