
2025 Belmont Stakes: Rain clearing, but muddy track conditions to remain
The skies are set to clear and conditions are likely to improve in Saratoga Springs, New York after a morning of rain, but muddy conditions could remain on the track for Saturday evening's race, according to The Weather Channel.
Nearly 1.5 inches of rain fell from Friday at midnight to Saturday at noon ahead of the race, according to a weather station in Saratoga Springs, which could contribute to muddy track conditions.
The race day schedule has already been altered, with the Belmont Stakes sharing on social media that four races have already been moved off the turf to the main track — Races 3, 6, 10 and 14.
Sunshine will become more frequent throughout the day, with temperatures in the low 70s at race time (7:04 p.m. ET).
Saratoga Springs is not under any significant weather alerts as of Saturday afternoon, but there is a flash flood warning nearby in Albany, New York, which is roughly 35 miles away.
[MORE: Belmont Stakes winners: Complete list by year ]
Journalism (+160) is the slight favorite over Sovereignty (+200) for the 157th Belmont Stakes — the third and final leg of the Triple Crown — per DraftKings Sportsbook. Baeza (+400), Rodriguez (+600), Hill Road (+1000), Crudo (+1500), Heart of Honor (+3000) and Uncaged (+3000) round out the field.
[MORE: Sovereignty, Journalism, Baeza are 'top tier' in crop of Belmont Stakes horses]
Sovereignty won a rainy and muddy 151st Kentucky Derby last month on May 3, outlasting 3-1 favorite Journalism. It was 58 degrees and cloudy, and a downpour of rain made for murky conditions at Churchill Downs.
Journalism dug out a victory in the 150th Preakness Stakes a few weeks later on May 17 at the old Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland for the last time before it's torn down and rebuilt. There were less-than-perfect conditions leading up to the race, but things turned around in time for the big event. It was a sunny to partly cloudy day, with the race running under mostly clear and warm conditions.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily !
recommended
Get more from Horse Racing Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
National Bank Open Presented by Rogers Betting Odds and Match Previews for July 31, 2025, Men's Singles
With eight matches scheduled for today's round of 32 at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers, No. 14-ranked Daniil Medvedev versus No. 26 Alexei Popyrin stands out as particularly exciting. In 15 tournaments so far this year, Medvedev has yet to win a title, and his record is 26-15. The 25-year-old Popyrin, who is still looking for his first tournament win of 2025, is 12-15 this year. If you're wanting additional betting information for the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers today, we have you covered with odds for each of the eight matches. Tennis odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 12:13 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Today's matches at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers Odds to win the 2025 National Bank Open Presented by Rogers


Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Cubs Make Trade, Acquire All-Star From Orioles: Reports
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Cubs added to their relief corps by acquiring Andrew Kittredge, a former All-Star reliever, from the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night. The late-night deal comes less than 24 hours before Thursday's 6 p.m. ET trade deadline. Jon Heyman of the New York Post was first to report the news on Twitter/X. Kittredge to Cubs — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2025 Kittredge, a 35-year-old right-hander, is 2-2 with a 3.56 ERA in 30 games with Baltimore this season, and 25-14 with a 3.45 ERA in 285 career games with the Tampa Bay Rays (2017-23), St. Louis Cardinals (2024) and O's. More to come on this story from Newsweek Sports.


CBS News
4 hours ago
- CBS News
Smarty Jones, racehorse from Pennsylvania, to be added to Hall of Fame 21 years after winning Kentucky Derby
Pat Chapman, breeder and owner of the legendary chestnut stallion Smarty Jones, says his induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame finally brings peace, two decades after the Pennsylvania-born horse's final race. "This is the ending, I'm telling you, I can sleep well at night. He is vindicated now," Chapman said. Smarty Jones was born on Chapman's farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and named after her mother's nickname, "Smarty." In 2004, the chestnut colt burst onto the national scene. Undefeated heading into the Triple Crown, he crushed the Kentucky Derby and romped to victory in the Preakness Stakes by a record 11½ lengths, a mark that still stands today. But the Belmont Stakes ended his historic run, as he finished just one length shy of a Triple Crown title. "We will never ever know how good of a horse he might have been," Chapman said. Trainer John Servis remembers when Smarty became the horse to beat. "He could run horses off their feet. ... He could stalk, he could go to the front," Servis said. "Belmont now becomes, not how do we win the Belmont, but how do we beat Smarty Jones? My horse had a bull's eye on his back." In only two years on the track, Smarty Jones earned $7.6 million and won over the hearts of a nation. "It was incredible. It didn't just do things for the sport; it did things for the nation. He became a hero," Servis said. "Philadelphia, they were really hot for Smarty, they loved him. There were billboards about the horse, there were songs about him," Chapman added. "The fan mail, we had tubs and tubs of fan mail." "He did bring a lot of interest to racing from people who had never paid attention," Chapman said. Many credit that loyal fan base with helping push Smarty into the hall. Elected in his first year on the ballot, Smarty Jones finally crosses the finish line he always deserved. The newest Hall of Fame members will be enshrined on Friday in Saratoga Springs, New York.