2025 Belmont Stakes Preview: Journalism, Sovereignty Headline Field of Eight at Saratoga

With Triple Crown dreams off the table but championship honors still very much at stake, the 2025 Belmont Stakes returns to Saratoga Race Course this Saturday as a wide-open contest led by the two colts who’ve already claimed the season’s first two jewels: Journalism and Sovereignty.

The field of eight 3-year-olds was drawn Monday afternoon, and Journalism, winner of the Preakness Stakes, was installed as the 8-5 morning-line favorite by NYRA linemaker David Aragona. The Curlin colt drew post 7 and will again be ridden by Umberto Rispoli, who engineered a thrilling rail-skimming move at the three-sixteenths pole to secure victory at Pimlico on May 17.

Trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism is the only colt to contest all three Triple Crown races this year. Saturday’s 1¼-mile Belmont will mark his eighth start since debuting last fall, a testament to his durability and consistency for a powerhouse ownership group that includes Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, and the Coolmore trio.

“This is a true classic-type colt,” McCarthy said after the draw. “He shows up every time, and he’s coming into the race in great form.”

His chief rival is Sovereignty (2-1), who beat Journalism by 1½ lengths in the Kentucky Derby on May 3. The Godolphin homebred son of Into Mischief skipped the Preakness, giving him a six-week freshening under the patient guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. He drew post 2 and retains Junior Alvarado as his pilot.

“We’ve had this race circled ever since the Derby,” Mott said. “He’s had a very straightforward few weeks and should be ready to fire.”

Baeza (4-1), a strong-closing third in the Derby, adds further depth to the field. Trained by John Shirreffs and drawn into post 6, the son of McKinzie will again be ridden by Flavien Prat, who has made Saratoga a successful summer home in recent years.

“He’s training like a horse who wants every bit of this distance,” Shirreffs said. “And he seems to like Saratoga’s atmosphere—most horses do.”

Adding intrigue to the pace scenario is Rodríguez (6-1), the speedy winner of the Wood Memorial (G2). Kept out of the Derby and Preakness due to foot issues, the Bob Baffert trainee breaks from post 3 with Hall of Famer Mike Smith aboard. A front-running style and two months of rest make Rodríguez a live longshot in his Triple Crown debut.

Hill Road (10-1), the Peter Pan (G3) winner, drew the rail and will look to build off that performance under Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer Chad Brown. Ortiz took over after Prat chose Baeza, and the colt’s win at the local prep distance could give him a tactical edge.

Trainer Todd Pletcher, a four-time Belmont winner, brings two new shooters into the mix. Crudo (15-1), a gate-to-wire winner of the Sir Barton on Preakness Day, drew post 5 with veteran John Velázquez in the saddle. Stablemate Uncaged (30-1), an allowance winner who was sixth in the Peter Pan, starts from post 4 under Luis Sáez, who won last year’s Belmont at Saratoga.

Rounding out the field is Heart of Honor (30-1), a colt who finished fifth in the Preakness for Eurasia-based trainer Jamie Osborne. Saffie Osborne, Jamie’s daughter and a rising star in international riding circles, retains the mount from post 8.

This year marks the second consecutive Belmont Stakes held at Saratoga, as Belmont Park undergoes reconstruction. The traditional “Test of the Champion” has been shortened to 1¼ miles from its usual 1½-mile trip, potentially favoring tactical speed and adaptability over pure stamina.

Post time is 7:04 p.m. EDT, with live coverage on FOX.