Belmont Stakes 2025 Early Predictions for Journalism, Sovereignty and Top Contenders

There was no massive upset at Saturday's Preakness Stakes, as favorite Journalism ended up claiming victory. There was, however, plenty of excitement and drama, as long shot Gosger led for almost the entirety of the race.

As the field turned into the final stretch, it seemed like Journalism would have no shot at breaking away from a crowded pack. However, jockey Umberto Rispoli managed to clear traffic, make a stunning late push and narrowly edge out Gosger at the finish.

With the first two jewels of the Triple Crown in the books, the horse racing world will turn its attention to next month's Belmont Stakes, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 7.

2025 Belmont Stakes

When: Saturday, June 7

Where: Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, NY

Prize Pool: $2 million ($1.2 million to winner)

Post Draw: Monday, June 2

Projected Contenders, Preview and Predictions

There will be no Triple Crown winner in 2025, though we knew that well before the field for the Preakness Stakes was announced. Trainer Bill Mott announced the day after the Kentucky Derby that Derby winner Sovereignty could skip the Preakness to focus on the Belmont.

“We want to do what’s best for the horse,” Mott said, per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.. “Of course, you always think about a Triple Crown, and that’s not something we’re not going to think about.”

Ultimately, Mott decided that preserving Sovereignty for the Belmont was best.

While there's no guarantee that Journalism—who was the Derby runner-up—will join Sovereignty at Saratoga. However, trainer Michael McCarthy and Eclipse Thoroughbreds president Aron Wellman are hoping to see him run.

"We'll go through the same analysis as we went through between the Derby and the Preakness,” Wellman told reporters on Sunday (h/t Paulick Report). “That horse in Stall 33 will tell us whether he's ready to go back in three weeks. It's something we'd like to do."

With the Belmont still nearly three weeks away, we probably won't see a finalized field for some time. However, we're likely to see a few top contenders challenging Sovereignty and Journalism next month.

According to Stephen Edelson of the Asbury Park Press, Rodriguez could be in the field after missing both the Derby and the Preakness with a foot injury.

"[Rodriguez] was shipped East after falling short in a pair of West Coast preps and the change of scenery worked, rolling to a wire-to-wire win in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct," Edelson wrote.

It certainly wouldn't be a shock to see trainer Bob Baffert enter Rodriguez in the final Triple Crown race after being forced to hold him out of the first two.

Baeza, who finished third at the Derby and skipped the Preakness, could also be a contender at the Belmont. So could Final Gambit, who finished fourth at the Derby, won the Jeff Ruby Steaks before that and skipped the Preakness.

Other horses we could see in the field, according to Edelson, include Grande, Hill Road and Cornucopian.

While the Belmont is usually the longest of the three Triple Crown races at 1 1⁄2 miles, that won't be the case this year. With Belmont Park under renovations, the race will be held at Saratoga, as it was in 2024.

Because of Saratoga's smaller dirt track, the Belmont Stakes will be a 1 1⁄4-mile race, making it the same length as the Derby.

Stamina will still be a significant factor, though, meaning horses that rested during one or both earlier Triple Crown races could have an edge. Last year's winner, Dornoch, finished 10th at the Derby, skipped the Preakness and came back to win the Belmont.

The prediction here, though, is that Journalism gets enough rest from the three-week layoff to run another amazing race and best Sovereignty in a Derby rematch.

Prediction

1. Journalism

2. Sovereignty

3 Final Gambit