As the Triple Crown trail winds its way to Saratoga for the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes, all eyes are on Sovereignty and Journalism—two elite colts who have traded blows throughout this year’s classic season.

The horse racing rivalry began at Churchill Downs, where the pair battled down the stretch in a thrilling Kentucky Derby showdown. Sovereignty ultimately prevailed, flashing his stamina and grit to capture the Run for the Roses and stake his claim as the division’s top 3-year-old.

But Journalism wasn’t done. Just two weeks later, he rebounded in style at Pimlico, surging past the field in The Preakness Stakes and proving that he’s just as dangerous when the pace suits him. With each colt holding a leg of the Triple Crown, the 2025 Belmont Stakes, albeit at a different venue and distance, sets up as a high-stakes rubber match.

There’s no Triple Crown on the line, but pride, prestige, and divisional supremacy are all up for grabs at Saratoga.

Where Is the Belmont Stakes?

For the second straight year, the Belmont Stakes moves from Belmont Park to Saratoga Race Course, giving the “Test of the Champion” an all-new feel for its 157th running. Belmont Park is undergoing massive renovations, which ultimately pushed the event to Saratoga in 2024 and 2025.

The 2026 edition of the race will return to the new-look Belmont Park.

When Is the Belmont Stakes?

The 2025 Belmont Stakes will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Saratoga.

What Time Is the Belmont Stakes?

FOX’s coverage begins at 4:00 p.m. ET, with post time for the Belmont expected around 7:04 p.m. ET.

Who Won the Belmont Stakes 2024?

Dornoch took home the 2024 Belmont Stakes crown as a +1700 underdog entering the race.

The Belmont Stakes Odds

Check out the latest Belmont Stakes odds courtesy of the top sports betting sites:

The odds reflect a tighter race than usual, partly because this year’s event is shorter (1 1/4 miles) and is being run at Saratoga. That unfamiliar terrain adds another wrinkle for bettors trying to back the right horse. Be sure to check out the best handicappers before placing your bets.

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Belmont Stakes Favorites

The following horses are considered favorites to win the 157th running of The Belmont Stakes:

Sovereignty (+160)

When it comes to the 2025 Belmont Stakes, you could do a lot worse than backing the most consistent, battle-tested horse in the field: Sovereignty. This colt has done everything right since his debut, racking up wins in the Kentucky Derby, Florida Derby, Fountain of Youth, and Street Sense Stakes like it’s just another day at the office. Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and racing under the powerhouse Godolphin banner, Sovereignty enters Saratoga with the résumé of a seasoned champ, not a green 3-year-old.

Need receipts? Just look at what he did in the Kentucky Derby. Facing a loaded field, Sovereignty dug in late and outdueled Journalism, holding off a hard charge to win in a sharp 2:02.31. It wasn’t a fluke, either—he clocked 116 on the HRN Speed Figures scale in his maiden win and hasn’t dipped below a 105 since. Whether it’s Gulfstream, Aqueduct, or Churchill, this horse shows up and delivers. He’s not picky about where or how. He just wins.

What makes Sovereignty especially appealing for this year’s Belmont at Saratoga is the new 1 1/4-mile distance. It’s right in his wheelhouse. He’s already proven at this length, and he doesn’t need the long, sweeping Belmont Park stretch to make his move. His pedigree is rock solid, too, by Into Mischief out of a Bernardini mare, meaning he’s bred to blend speed with stamina. That’s exactly the kind of genetic cocktail you want in a big-money race like this.

At 8-5 (+160), you’re not getting rich off Sovereignty, but sometimes the best bet is the obvious one. He’s the class of the field, he’s got the hardware to prove it, and he’s been winning these types of races with professional poise. If you want a horse that won’t fold under pressure and knows how to finish, Sovereignty should be at the top of your ticket.

Journalism (+180)

If there’s one horse in this year’s Belmont Stakes field that knows how to bounce back and punch harder the next time, it’s Journalism. After finishing a strong second to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby, the Michael McCarthy trainee came roaring back to win the Preakness Stakes in style. His late surge in the final furlong at Pimlico showed not just speed, but grit. It’s the kind you need to win a race as tactical and demanding as this year’s 1 1/4-mile Belmont at Saratoga.

What makes Journalism such a compelling bet is his consistency against elite competition. He’s 5-for-7 in his career, with signature wins in the Preakness, Santa Anita Derby, and San Felipe, and a speed figure of 111 in the Los Alamitos Futurity to kick things off. In fact, every time this colt has been asked to step up, he’s done so. Whether it’s routing on the West Coast or shipping East for Triple Crown showdowns, Journalism hasn’t blinked. He’s versatile, tough, and clearly peaking at the right time.

And let’s talk pedigree. This guy is sired by Curlin, one of the most celebrated classic-distance studs of the 21st century, and his dam side is no slouch either—Mopotism comes from the Uncle Mo line, meaning he’s bred to run all day but still pack a punch at the end. That blend of stamina and tactical speed could be crucial on Saratoga’s sweeping turns, especially if the early pace heats up.

At 9-5 (+180), Journalism might not feel like a great value play, but he’s a dangerous one, especially if you believe the Derby-Preakness form reversal is no fluke. If he gets the right setup and a clean trip, he’s got every tool to win the Belmont and take home two legs of the Triple Crown. For bettors looking for a mix of upside, pedigree, and battle-tested toughness, Journalism is as good as it gets.

Baeza (+450)

If you’re in the market for a sneaky Belmont Stakes play with serious upside, Baeza might just be your option. This colt has quietly put together a strong campaign, including a third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby and a big win over Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby. Trained by John Shirreffs, Baeza is built like a classic grinder. He may not blow the doors off early, but he knows how to stick around and make noise when it matters.

What stands out most about Baeza is how much he’s progressed in just a few starts. After flashing potential with a sharp 111 speed figure in his maiden win, he backed it up by going head-to-head with the top contenders in the Derby and Santa Anita Derby. His Derby performance, in particular, was impressive—he stayed on strongly behind Sovereignty and Journalism in a tough, contested pace, showing that he has the stamina and toughness to thrive in deep waters.

Pedigree-wise, Baeza checks all the boxes. He’s sired by McKinzie, a Grade 1 winner known for versatility, and out of Puca, by Big Brown, who, of course, won both the Derby and Preakness back in 2008. That blend of speed and distance influences makes Baeza one of the more well-rounded horses in the field. He may not have the flashiest resume yet, but his upward trajectory and that smart Santa Anita win suggest he’s not far off.

At 9-2 (+450), Baeza offers far more value than the two favorites. He’s already proven he can hang with them, and with a good trip at Saratoga, he could flip the script. If you’re looking for a horse on the rise with legit win equity and less public attention, Baeza belongs on your Belmont betting slip.

Top Longshot Horses in the Belmont

The following horses are considered longshots to win the Belmont Stakes:

Heart of Honor (+2000)

If you’re shopping for a deep value play, Heart of Honor brings just enough intrigue to turn heads. He finished a respectable fifth in the Preakness Stakes and has danced in some tough spots overseas, including a strong second in the UAE Derby. With a stamina-focused pedigree (by Honor A. P. out of a Scat Daddy mare) and back-class at a distance, he could sneak into the trifecta if the pace collapses.

Uncaged (+2000)

Don’t let the recent Peter Pan flop scare you off—Uncaged has quietly shown upside in prior starts, including a 107 HRN figure in his maiden score at Saratoga. Trained by Todd Pletcher and sired by Curlin, he has the bloodlines and backtracking experience to outrun his odds. If he catches a wet track or gets the right setup, he could mess up a few exotic tickets.

Hill Road (+1200)

Hill Road enters off a win in the Peter Pan Stakes, traditionally a strong prep for the Belmont, and he did it with authority. A son of Quality Road, he has experience over several top-tier tracks and has proven he can finish when positioned well. At +1200, he’s not a total stab, but more of a live mid-tier sleeper who could round out a juicy exacta or trifecta.

The Belmont Stakes Predictions

After watching the Triple Crown trail unfold and digging into the form, pedigree, and trends heading into this new-look Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, my pick to win is Baeza (+450).

He’s been hiding in plain sight all season—third in the Kentucky Derby, runner up to Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby, and steadily improving with each start. What sets him apart is his tactical speed, balanced running style, and ability to sustain a drive when others flatten out. In a race with several pace variables and no true deep closer, Baeza feels like the horse that can sit just off the speed and pounce when it counts.

While Sovereignty and Journalism will soak up most of the betting attention, Baeza offers the sweet spot of proven class + fair odds. His connections (trainer John Shirreffs, sire McKinzie, dam line tracing to Big Brown) all point to a horse built for the big moment.

If he runs back to his Santa Anita Derby effort—or improves slightly off his Derby finish, he has the tools to win the Belmont and blow up those chalky exactas. He’s my pick to wear the (Saratoga-adjusted) crown.

Bet: Baeza (+450)

The Best Belmont Stakes Bets

Check out our best Belmont Stakes bets:

• Baeza to Win (+450): Strong form, good value, and room to improve off a sharp Derby run.
• Rodríguez to Show (+550): A win in the Wood Memorial and training under Baffert makes him a sneaky contender to hit the board.
• Exacta Box – Sovereignty / Baeza / Journalism: Covers the three top contenders, maximizing flexibility in a wide-open setup.

The Belmont Stakes Winners

Check out the most recent Belmont Stakes winners: