The 2025 Belmont Stakes Contenders: Horses to Keep an Eye On

Image Source

As the final part of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes is considered one of the year’s most important races. Due to Belmont Park’s renovations, Saratoga is hosting the race this year, but the contest is as prestigious as ever. Plenty of highly ranked 3-year-olds are set to run, making people wonder how each one stacks up as the big day draws closer.

Let’s check at the main contenders and where they stand in the upcoming 2025 Belmont Stakes.

Sovereignty

As the morning line favorite at 8-5, Sovereignty will be the one to watch in the Belmont Stakes. Owned by Godolphin and trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Rebel Ram was impressive in the Kentucky Derby as he used a final surge to edge out Journalism by 1 1⁄2 lengths in victory. Sticking to a cautious approach, Sovereignty’s team skipped the Preakness and trained the animal for the Belmont.

Over the weekend, he completed five furlongs at the Oklahoma training track, ending the workout in 1:02.54, showing he is ready to tackle the long Saratoga race. With Junior Alvarado joining him, Sovereignty flies into the race with solid stamina and great connections.

Those who believe Sovereignty can win the race should place their Bet on the 2025 Belmont Stakes early on. Odds can shift quickly as race day approaches, especially for a standout contender like a Kentucky Derby winner. Early betting not only secures potentially better returns but also shows confidence in a horse that’s already proven on the big stage. If you’re backing Sovereignty, now might be the time to act before the odds shorten.

Journalism

Journalism, listed at 9-5 on the morning line, has stood out as a solid and competitive three-year-old in the Triple Crown. Two weeks after coming in second to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby, Journalism showed late acceleration and grit by winning the Preakness Stakes.

The colt was sent to Saratoga on May 19, and his team is carefully checking his progress. The big debate right now is whether Journalism will be entered in the 1½-mile Belmont Stakes, just three weeks after his Kentucky Derby and Preakness run.

His team hasn’t said for sure, but everything suggests they will look carefully at his health before deciding. If he runs, Journalism would be the top pick, thanks to his experience and the excitement he brings.

Baeza

Baeza, who starts the Belmont Stakes with odds of 7-2, is a contender that should not be overlooked. The thoroughbred Baeza is trained by John Shirreffs, ridden by Flavien Prat, and owned by C.R.K. Stable and Grandview Equine. Despite running into crowded areas, he closed in well and ended up in third place in the Kentucky Derby. His actions revealed that he possesses enough speed and staying power for the elite level.

After that, Baeza completed a 6-furlong exercise at Santa Anita on May 23, running it at 1:12.40. From this training, he is prepared to manage the tough distance at the Belmont Stakes. With how he has finished his most recent races and his current strength, Baeza may play an essential part in what happens at Saratoga.

Rodriguez

After being unable to race at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes because of a foot injury, Rodriguez made a strong comeback at the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. He was clearly in top form, as he won easily from the front and showed he was up for the long Belmont race. Legendary trainer Bob Baffert and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will hold one last workout at Santa Anita before shipping him to Saratoga to make sure he is at his utmost performance on race day. Rodriguez’s current good results and the experience of those around him make him a possible player for the big stage of the Triple Crown.

Hill Road

Hill Road enters the 2025 Belmont Stakes looking strong, having been trained by Chad Brown. He made a rough start but kept going and finished winning the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park on May 10. This victory revealed that Hill Road could perform at a top level and showed his mental toughness.

Since winning that race, Hill Road has put in hard work, including a recent half-mile workout finished in under 49 seconds. His strong performance proves he is in good shape and ready to do well in the Belmont Stakes. Because of Hill Road’s tactical speed and recent victories, he is a horse to watch as the Triple Crown series ends.

Looking Ahead to the Belmont

As we get closer to the 2025 Belmont Stakes, we can expect a race showing off every horse’s speed, endurance, and how well each jockey and trainer make their strategies. From Sovereignty’s powerful closing strike to Journalism’s flexibility or Rodriguez’s remarkable comeback, the field has many chances for surprises. Because of the distance and historic location, there’s a good chance this race will make history and change the narrative for the season.