The 157th running of the Belmont Stakes is set to unfold on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 6:50 p.m. ET at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Eight horses are entered for this prestigious race, marking the final leg of the Triple Crown.
The frontrunner in this year’s Belmont Stakes is Journalism, boasting odds of 8-5. This horse previously secured a victory at the Preakness and finished second in the Kentucky Derby against Sovereignty, the Derby winner who enters this race at 2-1 odds. Trainer Bill Mott opted to skip the Preakness with Sovereignty to focus on long-term goals, having demonstrated incredible tenacity by rallying from 16th place to win the Derby.
Alongside these two competitors, the race features several other notable contenders, including:
– Hill Road, trained by Chad Brown, with odds of 10-1.
– Rodriguez, a Bob Baffert trainee, at 6-1.
– Uncaged, also trained by Todd Pletcher, with odds of 30-1.
– Crudo, another of Pletcher’s horses, at 15-1.
– Baeza, trained by John Shirreffs, at 4-1.
– Heart of Honor, trained by Jamie Osborne, at 30-1.
Top racing analysts are offering their insights on the contenders. Ken Jordan, the 2024 Belmont Stakes Challenge winner, believes Sovereignty may not perform at his best due to the different pace dynamics expected in this race compared to the Derby. Sean Nolan, a top contender at the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship, also sees great promise in Journalism, noting that he can adjust to various race paces.
Journalism’s previous performances suggest he has a strong chance of capturing the victory while continuing to improve. Baeza, carrying the legacy as the half-brother to the 2023 Kentucky Derby winner, could also be a dark horse with a potential strong run.
The Belmont Stakes promises to be an exhilarating showdown as these elite three-year-olds compete for glory, underscoring the dynamic nature of thoroughbred racing. Fans and spectators alike are eagerly awaiting a thrilling finish, which could both challenge and uplift racing enthusiasts, embodying the spirit of competition that defines the sport.