With 17.7 million viewers, the 151st Kentucky Derby delivered the race’s largest audience since 1989—all tuning in to watch Sovereignty’s thrilling victory, per NBC Sports.

Sovereignty's Kentucky Derby victory in the muck at Churchill Downs sparked curiosity over whether the colt can build on his signature win over a possibly drier, faster surface on the Triple Crown trail.

Will Sovereignty run in the Preakness Stakes after winning the 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs? Bill Mott on the second leg of the Triple Crown