SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Under the warm Saratoga sun and in front of more than 46,000 spectators, Sovereignty galloped to a decisive victory in the 157th Belmont Stakes on Saturday, asserting dominance in the third and final leg of the Triple Crown season.
With jockey Junior Alvarado aboard and trained by William I. Mott, the Derby champion pulled away in the final stretch to win by three lengths over Journalism, the Preakness winner, clocking in at 2:00.69 for the shortened 1¼-mile course.

A Temporary Home with a Historic Vibe
The Belmont Stakes was once again relocated to Saratoga Race Course due to ongoing renovations at Belmont Park. This year marked the second consecutive edition at Saratoga, where organizers hosted the extended Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, spanning five days with 27 stakes races and over $11 million in prize money.
Despite the absence of a Triple Crown bid, the atmosphere was festive. Total attendance reached over 110,000 across the week, and wagering volumes neared $198 million, indicating strong interest.
A Field of Eight, A Race of Two
The eight-horse field featured familiar names from earlier Triple Crown legs:
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Sovereignty (Derby winner)
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Journalism (Preakness winner)
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Rodriguez (morning-line favorite)
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Baeza, Hill Road, Crudo, Uncaged, and Heart of Honor
Although all eyes were on the rematch between Sovereignty and Journalism, it was the Derby champ who made a statement by skipping the Preakness and arriving fresh. Journalism, valiant in defeat, held off late challenges to secure second place.
Betting Recap and Final Standings
The race’s betting favorites played out predictably, with the top four finishers aligning closely with morning-line odds.
2025 Belmont Stakes – Final Results:
Position |
Horse |
Jockey |
Trainer |
1st |
Sovereignty |
Junior Alvarado |
William I. Mott |
2nd |
Journalism |
Umberto Rispoli |
Michael McCarthy |
3rd |
Baeza |
Flavien Prat |
John Shirreffs |
4th |
Rodriguez |
Mike E. Smith |
Bob Baffert |
Wagering payouts were modest due to Sovereignty’s strong backing:
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$1 Exacta: $6.60
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$0.50 Trifecta: $6.90
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$0.10 Superfecta: $4.05

Festival Highlights & What’s Next
The race was the highlight of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which kicked off on June 4 and concluded with Saturday’s feature race. Saratoga’s tradition-rich venue provided a charming, fan-friendly atmosphere—even if smaller in scale compared to Belmont Park.
Belmont Park’s renovations are expected to be completed by late 2026. Whether the race returns to its original home or remains at Saratoga for another year remains undecided.
Quote of the Day:
“He had fire in him today,” said Sovereignty’s trainer William Mott. “We knew skipping the Preakness was a gamble—but it paid off.”
For more Triple Crown coverage and race-day highlights, visit Headings.us.