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2025 Belmont Stakes Recap
- Updated: June 8, 2025
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Sovereignty Triumphs in 2025 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga
The 157th running of the Belmont Stakes, held on June 7, 2025, at Saratoga Race Course, delivered a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Triple Crown season. With Belmont Park undergoing a $455 million renovation, Saratoga hosted the event for the second consecutive year, drawing thousands of fans to witness a clash of elite three-year-olds. Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty, skipping the Preakness Stakes, emerged victorious, solidifying his dominance in a rematch against Preakness champion Journalism.
Race Recap
The $2 million Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, run at a shortened distance of 1 1/4 miles due to Saratoga’s smaller track, saw a field of eight horses compete at 6:50 p.m. EDT. Sovereignty, trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and ridden by Kentucky Derby winning jockey Junior Alvarado, was the second betting choice at 5-2 odds, drawing post position 2. The morning-line favorite, Journalism, at 2-1 odds from post 7, set the stage for a highly anticipated showdown.
Early in the race, longshots Rodriguez, Uncaged, and Crudo surged to the front, setting a brisk pace. Journalism made a strong move from the outside halfway through, briefly taking the lead. However, Sovereignty, staying close to the rail, unleashed a powerful surge down the stretch, overtaking Journalism to win by three lengths. Baeza, replicating his Kentucky Derby performance, finished third, while the rest of the field trailed.
Sovereignty’s victory marked a historic moment, as he became the first horse to win both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes without competing in the Preakness. His $1.2 million share of the purse underscored his status as a top contender in the 2025 season.
Video embed courtesy of the NYRA channel on YouTube
Official Results and Payouts
The top three finishers—Sovereignty, Journalism, and Baeza—mirrored their Kentucky Derby order, delivering consistent performances. Below is the official order of finish with payouts for win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta wagers.
| Position | Horse | Win ($) | Place ($) | Show ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sovereignty | 7.00 | 3.80 | 2.60 |
| 2 | Journalism | – | 3.00 | 2.20 |
| 3 | Baeza | – | – | 2.40 |
| 4 | Rodriguez | – | – | – |
| 5 | Uncaged | – | – | – |
| 6 | Crudo | – | – | – |
| 7 | Hill Road | – | – | – |
| 8 | Heart of Honor | – | – | – |
Exotic Wagers
- $1 Exacta (Sovereignty-Journalism): $6.60
- $1 Trifecta (Sovereignty-Journalism-Baeza): $13.80
- $1 Superfecta (Sovereignty-Journalism-Baeza-Rodriguez): $40.50
Historical Context
Sovereignty’s win adds to the storied legacy of the Belmont Stakes, which began in 1867. As the third leg of the Triple Crown, the race has crowned champions like Secretariat (1973) and American Pharoah (2015). This year’s event, broadcast by Fox Sports, highlighted Saratoga’s historic charm, with no Triple Crown on the line but plenty of drama. The 2025 race reaffirmed Sovereignty’s place among elite thoroughbreds, following in the footsteps of recent winners like Dornoch (2024) and Arcangelo (2023).
Looking Ahead
With Belmont Park’s renovations ongoing, the 2026 Belmont Stakes location remains undecided. Fans can anticipate more thrilling races as the sport continues to evolve. For now, Sovereignty’s commanding performance at Saratoga will be remembered as a highlight of the 2025 racing season.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, NYRA, Wikipedia
