The starting gates open. Horses and their jockeys race out, barrelling through the track. The racers continue around the curves, splashing through puddles and wading through mud on the wet dirt track. After just over 2 minutes of high speed horse racing, a winner crossed the finish line. 

The winner of the 151st Kentucky Derby, held on May 3, was Sovereignty, who finished at 2:02:31. 

Journalism teacher Mr. Hall expressed his disappointment as the horse he was hoping would win, fittingly named Journalism, came in second place.

“I feel like (the profession of) journalism has been kind of beaten up over the past few years, and I was just really rooting for the name to win,” Hall said. “The horse still ran a good race, it got second place.”

T. Ashbaugh, a senior at Bullitt Central High School in Shepherdsville Kentucky, notes that the Kentucky Derby is an important event for Kentuckians. 

“The Derby is used as a time for people to have parties, drink and gamble, but it also holds a lot of significance due to it being a long standing event,” Ashbaugh said. “It has its own superstitions and dress attire. When the Derby happens, Jeffersonville schools, along with other neighboring counties (including non-Kentucky ones), close that Friday because of the large influx of people. This year my grandmother did bet on a horse and she actually did win one of her races.”

The next Kentucky Derby will take place on May 2, 2026.