2025 Belmont Stakes field: Meet the contenders set to battle at Saratoga

Hindustan Times

07-06-2025

The stage is set at Saratoga Race Course for the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes, the final jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown. As fans gather in New York for this historic showdown, all eyes are on which 3-year-old will emerge as the season's ultimate star.
Also Read: Belmont Stakes 2025: Fans and horses set stage for last leg of the Triple Crown
The following are the eight contenders at this year's Belmont Stakes, as reported by BloodHorse.
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Trainer: Chad Brown
After a surprising third-place finish at 61-1 in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, this colt transitioned to Chad Brown's barn. Hill Road continued to show promise, placing third in the Tampa Bay Derby before rallying to win the Peter Pan Stakes. He's well-suited for the Belmont distance, though a slower early pace could limit his late-running style.
Jockey: Junior AlvaradoTrainer: Bill Mott
Trainer: Bill Mott
Sovereignty surged from 16th to capture the Kentucky Derby with an impressive closing kick and has been remarkably consistent since his debut. With five weeks of rest and preparation, the distance of the Belmont shouldn't be an issue. Sovereignty appears primed for a strong performance in his anticipated rematch with Preakness winner Journalism.
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Rodriguez, the Wood Memorial (G2) winner, is one of the few in the field with early speed and could control the pace if left alone up front. Sidelined by a foot injury that kept him out of the Derby and Preakness, he's now fully recovered, according to trainer Bob Baffert. If the pace stays manageable, he could prove tough to reel in down the stretch.
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
This colt enters the Belmont Stakes as one of the biggest longshots—and for good reason. His lone stakes effort resulted in a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Peter Pan, and he'll need a dramatic turnaround to contend with the top-tier 3-year-olds in this field.
Also Read: 2025 Belmont Stakes handicap predictions: Top picks for this year's high-stakes race
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Another longshot in the field, this colt steps up to Grade 1 company for the first time after an easy, but slow, win in the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico. While his early speed could complicate things for Rodriguez, he's unlikely to pose a serious threat in the final furlong against this class of competition.
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Baeza is a serious contender who can't be overlooked, especially after his powerful late charge in the Kentucky Derby that landed him a close third, just behind Journalism. He also finished a strong second to the same rival in the Santa Anita Derby. With the potential to sit closer to the pace on Saturday, Baeza could be poised for a breakthrough performance in the Belmont.
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Journalism delivered a spectacular performance in the Preakness, muscling through traffic at the top of the stretch and making up five lengths on Gosger in the final furlong to win convincingly. Though the Belmont marks his third race in five weeks, the raw talent he showcased at Pimlico suggests he could be an exceptional 3-year-old with more to prove.
Jockey: Saffie Osborne
Trainer: Jamie Osborne
Making his U.S. debut in the Preakness, this colt finished a distant fifth and faces an uphill battle to improve enough to pose a serious threat in the Belmont Stakes.