The 157th running of the Belmont Stakes is set for Saturday, June 7, 2025, and will take place at Saratoga Race Course for the second consecutive year. This temporary relocation from Belmont Park continues while major renovations are underway at its traditional home. The race will cover 1 1⁄4 miles and offer a $2 million purse, attracting an elite group of three-year-old thoroughbreds to one of the sport’s most historic venues.
As anticipation grows, the official post position draw is scheduled for Monday, June 2, when the final lineup and morning line odds will be announced. In the meantime, analysts are closely tracking workouts, form patterns, and trainer strategies to gauge which contenders are hitting peak form. Adding to the intrigue is Saratoga’s unique layout, with its tighter turns and shorter stretch, which could play a pivotal role in how the race unfolds.
Sovereignty Returns as the One to Beat
Sovereignty, winner of the 2025 Kentucky Derby, enters the Belmont fresh, having skipped the Preakness to prepare specifically for Saratoga. Trained by Bill Mott and owned by Godolphin, this colt has been methodically managed.
The Derby showcased Sovereignty’s ability to stalk the pace and strike at the right moment. That tactical versatility may serve him well over Saratoga’s tighter layout. While some question the shortened Belmont distance removing his late-race edge, his past wins—including the Fountain of Youth Stakes—demonstrate enough mid-race acceleration to handle a quicker pace scenario.
Mott, known for precision training, appears to have Sovereignty peaking again at the right time. If his strong gallop-out post-workout is any indication, this colt remains the most balanced horse in the field.
Journalism Eyes a Second Classic Win
Journalism, the Preakness Stakes victor, continues a rapid spring campaign. Trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, he captured the Preakness with a late charge that held off a deep-closing Baeza. This followed his runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby, where he closed ground steadily from mid-pack.
Journalism’s strength lies in his ability to sustain a long drive without flattening out. That could be crucial at Saratoga, where acceleration out of the far turn matters more than long-distance staying power. His earlier win in the Santa Anita Derby showed that he can track quicker fractions and still finish with intent.
Baeza Continues to Impress with Consistency
Baeza is a model of consistency and resilience. Trained by John Shirreffs and regularly piloted by Flavien Prat, this colt ran third in the Kentucky Derby despite drawing the far outside post. He made up significant ground late, outrunning traffic to finish only a few lengths behind the leaders.
In the Santa Anita Derby, Baeza lost narrowly to Journalism, a race that now reads stronger given their Preakness finishes. With fresh legs and a strong galloping style, Baeza seems well suited to the unique rhythm of a 10-furlong race.
Shirreffs is taking a patient approach, allowing Baeza to stay sharp without overexertion. Reports from morning gallops suggest he’s maintaining fitness and responding well to routine drills. If the race shape turns honest with a fair pace, Baeza should be right there late, pushing for another top finish.
Rodriguez Looks to Bounce Back from Setback
Rodriguez, trained by Bob Baffert, missed the Kentucky Derby due to a foot bruise but remains one of the more intriguing entries. He won the Wood Memorial Stakes, a race that traditionally sends strong contenders to the Belmont. Now fully recovered, Rodriguez returned to timed works in early May and has been handled cautiously to ensure full fitness.
Ridden by Mike Smith, the colt’s style leans tactical—he can sprint to the front and try to go wire to wire or he can sit just off the leaders and launch on the far turn. That pattern fits Saratoga’s configuration, where sweeping moves often create separation. Smith’s experience with Baffert’s top horses gives this pair added credibility, especially in high-pressure scenarios.
With limited 2025 mileage, Rodriguez is fresher than many in the field. If he shows similar form to his Wood Memorial effort, he could make his presence felt in the final furlong.
Hill Road Steps Up Following Peter Pan Triumph
Hill Road enters the Belmont Stakes off a sharp win in the Peter Pan Stakes, a traditional prep that often points to late-blooming contenders. Trained by Chad Brown, the colt responded well to pace pressure and showed enough stamina in the stretch to suggest he can handle added distance.
As bettors and analysts await the official 2025 Belmont Stakes betting odds, Hill Road stands out as a potential sleeper. While not as decorated as horses like Sovereignty or Journalism, his recent form and sharp half-mile workout at Belmont Park’s training track (48.75 seconds) support the case for his upward trajectory. How he’s ultimately priced may reflect the confidence in his ability to step up against a deeper field.
Heart of Honor Adds International Flair
Heart of Honor, trained by Jamie Osborne and ridden by his daughter Saffie Osborne, offers a compelling storyline. After a fifth-place finish in the Preakness Stakes, the team is sharpening his gate skills and looking for improvement. His performances have been somewhat inconsistent, but the talent is evident when he settles early.
Heart of Honor’s value lies in his adaptability. Though British-bred, he’s shown comfort on dirt, and his connections believe the Saratoga configuration may suit him better than Pimlico’s tighter turns. His work has been steady, with the focus on schooling and rhythm rather than raw speed.
Should the pace collapse or several favorites underperform, Heart of Honor may have a path into the frame. His team’s optimism reflects belief in untapped potential, and a clean break will be essential.
Saratoga Adds a New Dimension
This year’s running of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga introduces new strategic angles. The change in venue and distance resets the usual profile for a Belmont winner. Horses with strong middle-move acceleration, rather than just stamina, may have an edge. The surface and layout favor adaptable, well-schooled contenders.
That shift levels the playing field and gives rise to a wider range of scenarios. It’s no longer a test of pure distance ability, but a hybrid challenge blending speed, balance, and timing. Horses like Journalism and Baeza, with proven turn-of-foot and conditioning, may find this setup more forgiving than traditional Belmont slogs.
As workouts continue and post positions are drawn, tactics will become even more important. Early speed could prove decisive if the pace slackens, while closers will need to secure better positioning early to avoid traffic and wide trips.
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