Kentucky Derby Roundup: Journalism, Sovereignty win returns

The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 61 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:

Journalism upsets Barnes in San Felipe

Journalism, a beautifully bred son of Curlin out of the Uncle Mo mare Mopotism, is shaping up as the new Kentucky Derby favorite after delivering a stellar performance in the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita.

Racing for the first time since an eye-catching win against tough competition in the Dec. 12 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), Journalism elevated his game to a new level in the San Felipe. After rating behind fractions of :23.71, :47.31, and 1:11.10 set by Barnes—the individual favorite in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pools 2, 3, and 4—Journalism shifted outside and drove past Barnes to win by 1 3/4 lengths.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Journalism

Journalist reached the finish line in the fast time of 1:42.24 while Barnes pulled 9 1/2 lengths clear of Rodriguez, Mellencamp, and Smooth Cruisein.

Since the San Felipe featured only five starters, only 75% of the intended 50-25-15-10-5 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points were awarded, in accordance with new rules for 2025. Journalism earned 37.5 points and advanced to fifth place on the leaderboard with 47.5 points in total. Rodriguez earned 11.25 points and climbed to 15th place with 21.25 points, while Barnes debuted in 21st place with 18.75 points.

Sovereignty ends layoff with Fountain of Youth triumph

A four-month layoff couldn’t stop Sovereignty from rallying to victory in the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park, worth 50-25-15-10-5 points to the top five finishers.

In his first start since dominating a quality field in the Street Sense (G3) last October, Sovereignty dropped to the back of the pack through fractions of :23.12, :47.07, and 1:10.68 before unleashing a determined late charge to catch the pace-pressing River Thames by a neck in 1:43.12.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Sovereignty

With a total of 60 points to his credit, Sovereignty is up to third place on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. River Thames debuts in 13th place with 25 points. Fountain of Youth pacesetter Neoequos held for third place and ranks 26th on the leaderboard with 15 points.

Holy Bull (G3) winner Burnham Square ran below expectations in the Fountain of Youth, rallying late to finish fourth as the favorite. But he nevertheless remains firmly in the leaderboard top 20, sitting ninth with 30 points.

Gate to Wire finished fifth and ranks 47th on the leaderboard.

Flood Zone handles class, distance test in Gotham

After conquering Florida-breds in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park, Flood Zone had no difficulty stepping up in class and distance for the one-mile Gotham (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Flood Zone always looked like a win contender. He dueled through fractions of :23.86, :47.97, and 1:13.69, then took over down the homestretch to beat the previously undefeated New York-bred Sand Devil by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:39.62.

Garamond, My Mitole, and McAfee rounded out the top five.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Flood Zone

Having earned the largest share of the 50-25-15-10-5 points up for grabs, Flood Zone joins the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard in fourth place. Sand Devil debuts in 14th place with 25 points.

Opera Ballo climbs European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard

The European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby resumed on Wednesday with the running of the “European Road to the Kentucky Derby” Conditions Stakes, a one-mile Polytrack race at Kempton in England worth 20-10-6-4-2 points.

Opera Ballo proved much the best. Coming off a debut win over the same track and distance, the Godolphin colorbearer drew clear to win by five lengths over Hott Shott, Saddadd, Quai De Bethune, Molveno, and Olympus Point.

None of the starters are currently nominated to the Triple Crown, but Opera Ballo’s victory vaulted him to second place on the European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 20 points.

Chancer McPatrick returns in Tampa Bay Derby

A strong field is expected to enter Saturday’s Tampa Bay Derby (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, a 1 1/16-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier worth 50-25-15-10-5 points.

Among the probable entrants is Chancer McPatrick, winner of the Hopeful (G1) and Champagne (G1) last year. The Tampa Bay Derby will mark his second start in a two-turn race following a sixth-place finish in the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), his most recent effort.

Other prospective entrants include Iroquois (G3) and Sam F. Davis S. runner-up Owen Almighty and Southwest (G3) fourth-place finisher Patch Adams.

Kentucky Derby contender workouts

Here are some of the latest workouts recorded by Road to the Kentucky Derby points earners:

Built: Four furlongs in :49.20 on Thursday at Fair Grounds.

Caldera: Four furlongs in :50.40 on Wednesday at Oaklawn Park.

Camp Hale: Half a mile in :48.45 on Thursday at Palm Meadows.

Chancer McPatrick: Four furlongs in :48.80 on Saturday at Payson Park.

Chunk of Gold: Half a mile in :50.60 on Saturday at Turfway Park.

Citizen Bull: Five furlongs in 1:00.60 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

East Avenue: Half a mile in :48.20 on Thursday at Fair Grounds.

Filoso: Four furlongs in :47.90 on Friday at Palm Meadows.

Gaming: Six furlongs in 1:11.80 on Friday at Santa Anita.

Hill Road: Four furlongs in :49.20 on Saturday at Payson Park.

John Hancock: Five furlongs in 1:02.00 on Saturday at Payson Park.

Owen Almighty: Five furlongs in 1:00.50 on Saturday at Palm Meadows.

Patch Adams: Five furlongs in 1:01.40 on Saturday at Payson Park.

Tappan Street: Four furlongs in :49.80 on Saturday at Payson Park.

American Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Coal Battle (70 points)
2. Citizen Bull (60 points)
3. Sovereignty (60 points)
4. Flood Zone (50 points)
5. Journalism (47.5 points)

European-Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Hotazhell (20 points)*
2. Opera Ballo (20 points)*
3. Wimbledon Hawkeye (13 points)*
4. Camille Pissarro (10 points)*
5. Hott Shott (10 points)*

Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Luxor Cafe (30 points)
2. Myriad Love (20 points)*
3. Promised Gene (15 points)
4. Natural Rise (14 points)
5. Happy Man (10 points)

* Not currently nominated to the Triple Crown.