June 5, 2025
The third jewel of the Triple Crown and Test of the Champion returns to Saratoga for the second straight year, and the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes could deliver something special. We get a rematch of the Kentucky Derby trifecta: Sovereignty, Journalism, and Baeza. There’s also plenty of buzz around Sovereignty skipping the Preakness, which Journalism won despite a traffic-filled stretch run. While some purists might complain about the shorter 1¼-mile distance, this field brings enough talent, tension, and storylines to make it a classic.
The 157th Belmont Stakes
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025
Location: Saratoga Race Course
Race #: 13
Distance: 1¼ miles
Post time: 7:04 PM EST
Pace Map
Meet The Field
1. Hill Road (Quality Road – Exotic Notion, by Lemon Drop Kid)
M/L: 10/1 | Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. | Trainer: Chad Brown
Grade 3 Peter Pan winner Hill Road is the deepest closer in the Belmont Stakes field. He’s stunned in nearly every start since coming stateside, first flashing his late kick at 61/1 with his third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, which stamped his ticket to the Derby trail. A fever scratched him from the Wood Memorial, ending his Derby hopes, but he’s returned quickly and looks ready to fire his signature late kick. Drawing the rail suits him perfectly. He’ll save ground around both turns before launching his run trying to best the Derby and Preakness winners.
2. Sovereignty (Into Mischief – Crowned, by Bernardini)
M/L: 2/1 | Jockey: Junior Alvarado | Trainer: Bill Mott
Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty returns looking to capture a second Triple Crown jewel after his powerful late surge at Churchill Downs five weeks ago. He’s been a force since breaking his maiden last October with a win in the Street Sense and has only gotten more dangerous as the distances have grown. He drew much better this time, just off the rail, projecting a much cleaner trip than his wide post 18 in the Derby. Saratoga may not favor his late-running style unless the pace heats up, but he already overcame a speed-favoring surface in the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park.
3. Rodriguez (Authentic – Cayala, by Cherokee Run)
M/L: 6/1 | Jockey: Mike Smith | Trainer: Bob Baffert
After missing both the Derby and Preakness with a foot bruise, Rodriguez is finally healthy and ready for the Belmont Stakes. Last out, he wired the Wood Memorial field at Aqueduct with authority, showing how dangerous he can be when allowed to control the tempo. He draws as the inside speed, but Crudo in post 5 should keep him honest early. He’ll try to carry that speed over more ground this Saturday.
4. Uncaged (Curlin – Dark Nile, by Pioneerof the Nile)
M/L: 30/1 | Jockey: Luis Saez | Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Uncaged takes a massive step up after finishing fourth in the Peter Pan last out. Todd Pletcher wheels him back quickly into a far tougher spot that’s likely more an owner’s decision than his own. When he debuted at Saratoga last August, the sky looked to be the limit for this Curlin colt. But a late start to his 2025 campaign stalled his momentum and any real Triple Crown hopes. He’s here on Belmont Stakes day, but he’s clearly overmatched.
5. Crudo (Justify – Blossomed, by Deputy Minister)
M/L: 15/1 | Jockey: John Velazquez | Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Sir Barton winner Crudo steps up in class off back-to-back romps, each by more than seven lengths. He’s flashed a strong blend of speed and power and should appreciate the added distance as a son of Justify and a full sibling to Japanese star Awesome Result. Drawing post 5 is fine, though Rodriguez in post 3 could complicate things. Still, Crudo should be prominent early as he tests the waters against the best of his crop.
6. Baeza (McKinzie – Puca, by Big Brown)
M/L: 4/1 | Jockey: Flavien Prat | Trainer: John Shirreffs
Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Baeza gets another crack at Sovereignty and Journalism with the Belmont Stakes on the line. A late arrival to the Derby trail, he had just one prep in the Santa Anita Derby, where he finished second just behind Journalism. On Derby week, he was stuck as an also-eligible until a late scratch got him in, forcing him to the far outside post. Even with that trip, he ran huge to finish a close third behind Sovereignty and Journalism. Of that Kentucky Derby trifecta, Baeza brings the most tactical speed and should offer the most value on Saturday.
7. Journalism (Curlin – Mopotism, by Uncle Mo)
M/L: 8/5 | Jockey: Umberto Rispoli | Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Journalism, the Kentucky Derby favorite and Preakness winner, is the only one to run in all three legs of the Triple Crown this year. If you missed his Preakness win, go watch the replay; he bulldozed through a nonexistent hole to run down Gosger, who looked home free. He draws the toughest post in the field, just inside of the unpredictable Heart of Honor, and may get hung wide into the first turn with the speed to his inside. He’s still the best 3-year-old in the country, even with the Kentucky Derby loss to Sovereignty. He’s overcome adversity in both the Preakness and Santa Anita Derby. The only knock is the quick turnaround between starts.
8. Heart of Honor (Honor A.P. – Ruby Love, by Scat Daddy)
M/L: 30/1 | Jockey: Saffie Osborne | Trainer: Jamie Osborne
UAE Derby runner-up Heart of Honor takes another swing at a Triple Crown race after a lackluster fifth-place finish in the Preakness. He’ll need major improvement to contend with this group. He was fractious at the gate in the Preakness, so you can toss him a few excuses, but he’s still a longshot at best.
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