Sovereignty beat favourite Journalism to win the 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
The colt, ridden by Junior Alvarado and trained by Bill Mott, finished the one and a quarter miles flat race in two minutes and 02.31 seconds to beat Journalism by one and a half lengths.
Citizen Bull set the early pace on the muddy track, before Sovereignty and Journalism emerged at the front heading into the final stretch.
But 7-1 third choice Sovereignty pulled away to take victory in front of 147,046 spectators.
"Fortunately, there was a lot of speed in the race," Mott said.