On June 7, 2025, Sovereignty, ridden by jockey Junior Alvarado, won the 157th Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in New York, capping the 2025 Triple Crown series. The race, a rematch of the Kentucky Derby’s top three finishers, saw Sovereignty outpace Journalism and Baeza, mirroring the Derby podium. Run at a shorter 1.25 miles due to the temporary venue change, the event drew massive attention for its high-stakes rivalry. Sovereignty’s victory, following its Derby win, solidified its status as the season’s standout. Held in vibrant Saratoga Springs, the race underscored the Belmont’s enduring legacy in horse racing’s elite series.
The 2025 Belmont was unique, hosted at Saratoga instead of Belmont Park, which is undergoing renovations. Saratoga, a historic track 45 minutes north of Albany, embraced the event with enthusiasm. The shorter distance sparked strategic shifts, yet the competition remained fierce. Sovereignty, with 2-1 morning-line odds, lived up to expectations, while Journalism, the 8-5 favorite, took second. Baeza, at 4-1, rounded out the top three.
- Key race highlights:
- Sovereignty surged to victory in the final stretch.
- Journalism stayed consistent but couldn’t overtake the leader.
- Baeza held steady, securing third as in the Derby.
- The 1.25-mile distance reshaped team tactics.
The race also featured compelling subplots, like Heart of Honor, ridden by Saffie Osborne, aiming for a historic female jockey win, last achieved in 1993. Despite a strong effort, the horse finished outside the top spots.
Saratoga’s historic stage
Hosting the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga was a defining moment of 2025. The iconic racecourse, known for its charm and tradition, welcomed the event for the second consecutive year due to Belmont Park’s ongoing $455 million renovation, set to conclude in 2026. The reduced 1.25-mile distance, aligning with the Kentucky Derby’s length, stirred debate. Jamie Osborne, trainer of Heart of Honor, noted that the traditional 1.5-mile course would have suited horses built for endurance.
Saratoga’s packed grandstands created an electric atmosphere. The event’s organization, from track conditions to global broadcasts, earned praise. As the Triple Crown’s final leg, the Belmont drew bettors and fans worldwide, reinforcing its prestige alongside the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
Sovereignty’s stellar season
Sovereignty entered the Belmont with a stellar record. Trained by Bill Mott, a 2010 Belmont winner with Drosselmeyer, the bay colt claimed the Kentucky Derby in May, edging out Journalism. Skipping the Preakness Stakes allowed extra preparation, a move that paid off in Saratoga. Sovereignty’s powerful finish cemented its dominance in the 2025 Triple Crown.
The colt’s prior victories included the 2024 Fountain of Youth Stakes and Street Sense Stakes, plus a second-place finish in the 2025 Florida Derby. Junior Alvarado, its jockey, faced scrutiny after a $62,000 fine and two-day suspension for alleged overuse of the whip in the Derby. Undeterred, the duo delivered a flawless performance.
- Sovereignty’s recent achievements:
- Won the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
- Took the 2024 Fountain of Youth Stakes.
- Placed second in the 2025 Florida Derby.
- Secured the 2024 Street Sense Stakes.
Journalism’s consistent challenge
Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy, was Sovereignty’s fiercest rival. The 8-5 favorite at Belmont, the bay colt won the Preakness Stakes in May after a second-place Derby finish. Its California campaign featured wins in the Santa Anita Derby, San Felipe Stakes, and Los Alamitos Futurity Stakes, marking it as a top contender. Jockey Umberto Rispoli rode Journalism in all Triple Crown races.
In the Belmont, Journalism started strong but fell short in the final stretch. The second-place finish, while impressive, left McCarthy’s team bittersweet. McCarthy, whose Rombauer placed third in the 2021 Belmont, continues to chase his first win in the race.
Baeza holds the podium
Baeza, ridden by Flavien Prat and trained by John Shirreffs, clinched third in the Belmont, echoing its Derby performance. The colt earned a Derby spot only after Rodriguez’s withdrawal, yet it shone in Kentucky. At 4-1 odds in Saratoga, Baeza stayed competitive, trailing the leaders throughout.
Before the Derby, Baeza took second in the Santa Anita Derby, behind Journalism. Shirreffs, whose Gormley finished fourth in the 2017 Belmont, praised Baeza’s grit. Prat, a veteran of recent Belmonts, noted the colt’s adaptability to the shorter course.
Other notable runners
Beyond the top three, several horses stood out. Rodriguez, at 6-1 odds, returned after missing the Derby due to a minor hoof bruise. Trained by Bob Baffert, a three-time Belmont winner with American Pharoah, Justify, and Point Given, the dark bay colt showed promise but didn’t place. Jockey Mike Smith aimed for his fourth Belmont win.
Hill Road, with 10-1 odds, came off a Peter Pan Stakes victory and was ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., a 2022 Belmont champion. Trained by Chad Brown, the colt fell short but remains a prospect. Crudo, co-owned by chef Bobby Flay, and Uncaged, both trained by Todd Pletcher, had 15-1 and 30-1 odds, respectively, but didn’t contend.
- Belmont 2025 field:
- Hill Road: 10-1 odds, third in Tampa Bay Derby.
- Rodriguez: 6-1 odds, won Wood Memorial Stakes.
- Crudo: 15-1 odds, won Sir Barton Stakes.
- Uncaged: 30-1 odds, won at Aqueduct.
- Heart of Honor: 30-1 odds, fifth in Preakness.
Compelling race narratives
Heart of Honor, ridden by Saffie Osborne, carried hopes of a female jockey victory, a milestone last reached by Julie Krone in 1993. Though the British-bred colt faded early, Osborne’s participation was a step toward diversity. The horse previously placed second in the UAE Derby in April.
The race showcased trainer rivalries. Bill Mott’s success with Sovereignty bolstered his legacy, while Baffert and Pletcher brought expertise with Rodriguez, Crudo, and Uncaged. Chad Brown, with Hill Road, eyes his first Belmont victory after near-misses in 2018 and 2024.
Triple Crown legacy
Known as the “Test of the Champion,” the Belmont Stakes traditionally spans 1.5 miles, the longest Triple Crown race. The 2025 reduction to 1.25 miles sparked criticism but didn’t diminish its stature. The Triple Crown, comprising the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont, tests three-year-olds like no other series. Only 13 horses have swept all three, with American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018) as the latest.
Sovereignty’s Derby-Belmont double, last achieved by Thunder Gulch in 1995, is a rare feat. Journalism’s Preakness win added to its strong season, though it fell short of historic marks.
Betting and preparation
The Belmont Stakes fueled millions in wagers, with Journalism leading betting pools. Sovereignty, at 2-1, drew heavy support, fueled by its Derby win. The Derby rematch hype drove fan engagement, with pre-race buzz centered on Saratoga’s morning workouts.
Training sessions at Saratoga’s Oklahoma Track showcased the horses’ form. Sovereignty, Journalism, and Baeza dominated headlines, with photos of their workouts widely shared. Teams focused on adapting to the shorter distance, a key factor in race planning.
Belmont’s 2025 mark
Sovereignty’s 2025 Belmont victory cemented its place among the year’s elite. Despite the venue shift, the race retained its grandeur, with Saratoga proving a worthy host. Fans now await Belmont Park’s return in 2026, when the traditional distance resumes. For now, Sovereignty, Alvarado, and Mott stand as the season’s defining names, while emerging stars like Osborne signal a bright future.
