2025 Belmont Stakes: Final Field of Contenders Set for June 7 at Saratoga
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The post positions for the 2025 Belmont Stakes were drawn on June 2, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EDT at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs, NY, with morning-line odds set for the eight-horse field.
The Belmont Stakes will be run at 1 ¼ miles at Saratoga Race Course on June 7, 2025, with a post time of approximately 6:45 p.m. EDT, televised on FOX.
Belmont Stakes 2025 Odds (Live) Belmont Stakes Past Performances Courtesy of DRF
| Post Position | Horse Name | Sire | Trainer | Jockey | ML Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hill Road | Quality Road | Chad Brown | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 10-1 |
| 2 | Sovereignty | Into Mischief | Bill Mott | Junior Alvarado | 2-1 |
| 3 | Rodriguez | Authentic | Bob Baffert | Mike Smith | 6-1 |
| 4 | Uncaged | Curlin | Todd Pletcher | Luis Saez | 30-1 |
| 5 | Crudo | Justify | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez | 15-1 |
| 6 | Baeza | Good Magic | John Shirreffs | Flavien Prat | 4-1 |
| 7 | Journalism | Curlin | Michael McCarthy | Umberto Rispoli | 8-5 |
| 8 | Heart of Honor | Honor A. P. | Jamie Osborne | Saffie Osborne | 30-1 |
The Contenders
1. Hill Road (10-1, Chad Brown, Irad Ortiz Jr.)
Sired by Quality Road, Hill Road enters off a victory in the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes at Aqueduct, a key prep race for the Belmont. Trained by Chad Brown, Hill Road is expected to leverage his recent form and the inside post, which historically has been advantageous at Saratoga. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., a top rider, adds strength to his chances.
2. Sovereignty (2-1, Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado)
The Kentucky Derby winner, sired by Into Mischief, skipped the Preakness Stakes to prepare for the Belmont. Trainer Bill Mott, a Hall of Famer, has reported strong workouts at Saratoga, with Sovereignty posting a five-furlong move in 1:02.54 on May 23. Junior Alvarado, who rode Sovereignty to a 1 ½-length Derby victory over Journalism, will aim to capitalize on the favorable post 2.
3. Rodriguez (6-1, Bob Baffert, Mike Smith)
Sired by Authentic, Rodriguez won the Grade 2 Wood Memorial Stakes but missed the Kentucky Derby and Preakness due to a foot issue. Trainer Bob Baffert, another Hall of Famer, confirmed the colt’s readiness after a strong workout at Santa Anita. Jockey Mike Smith, a veteran with Belmont experience, will guide Rodriguez from post 3, a position that allows tactical flexibility.
4. Uncaged (30-1, Todd Pletcher, Luis Saez)
A lightly raced colt by Curlin, Uncaged is one of three Pletcher trainees in the field. With only four career starts, he finished sixth in the Peter Pan Stakes but showed promise earlier with an allowance win at Aqueduct. Jockey Luis Saez will need to navigate a challenging outside post to keep Uncaged competitive in this Grade 1 event.
5. Crudo (15-1, Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez)
Sired by Triple Crown winner Justify, Crudo enters off a dominant 7 ½-length victory in the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard. Pletcher’s third entrant, Crudo has shown front-running ability, winning wire-to-wire in his last two starts. Jockey John Velazquez, a Belmont Stakes veteran, will ride from post 5, aiming to set or press the pace.
6. Baeza (4-1, John Shirreffs, Flavien Prat)
Sired by Good Magic, Baeza earned his Belmont spot with a strong second-place finish to Journalism in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby and a start in the Kentucky Derby after drawing in from the also-eligible list. Trainer John Shirreffs has prepared Baeza at Santa Anita, and jockey Flavien Prat, who rode him in the Derby, will look to position him for a stalking trip from post 6.
7. Journalism (8-5, Michael McCarthy, Umberto Rispoli)
The Preakness Stakes winner, sired by Curlin, is the morning-line favorite after a runner-up finish to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby and a victory in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. Trainer Michael McCarthy has overseen steady gallops at Saratoga, and jockey Umberto Rispoli will ride from post 7, a position that requires a clean break to avoid being caught wide. Journalism’s consistent high Beyer Speed Figures, including a field-topping 108, make him a formidable contender.
8. Heart of Honor (30-1, Jamie Osborne, Saffie Osborne)
Sired by Honor A. P., Heart of Honor finished fifth in the Preakness Stakes, his best performance in graded stakes company. Trained by Jamie Osborne, Heart of Honor faces a tough outside post 8, which may challenge his ability to stay close early. Jockey Saffie Osborne will need to manage a strategic trip to keep him in contention.
The Belmont Stakes, known as “The Test of the Champion,” will be televised on FOX from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. EDT, with a post time of approximately 6:45 p.m. The race headlines a five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from June 4-8, featuring additional graded stakes and festivities in Saratoga Springs. With no Triple Crown on the line, the rematch between Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty and Preakness winner Journalism is a focal point, alongside emerging threats like Baeza and Hill Road.
Read Wizcapper’s handicapping analysis of the 2025 Belmont Stakes.
