The 157th running of the Belmont Stakes delivered a tightly contested finish at Saratoga Race Course, where Sovereignty surged past Journalism to claim the win. With this result, the Kentucky Derby winner now has two of the three Triple Crown victories, though the absence at the Preakness ruled out a sweep.
Sovereignty, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado, entered the race with 2-1 odds and met expectations with a strong closing push. Journalism, the 8-5 favorite after winning the Preakness Stakes, held close through most of the race but couldn’t maintain his lead down the stretch. Baeza, another contender with 4-1 odds, came in third.
Held again at Saratoga Race Course due to renovations at Belmont Park, the race was shortened to a mile and a quarter, the same distance as the Kentucky Derby. Eight horses competed, with Sovereignty and Journalism generating the most attention. Their matchup drew interest after Sovereignty defeated Journalism in the Derby and then sat out the Preakness, which Journalism went on to win.
The race began with Rodriguez and Crudo setting a brisk pace early. Sovereignty remained just off the leaders, waiting for the right moment. As the horses entered the final turn, Sovereignty found space and made a push along the outside. Journalism responded but could not close the gap before the finish line.
The win earned Sovereignty’s team $1.2 million from the Belmont’s $2 million purse. Journalism earned $360,000, while Baeza received $200,000 for third place.
Trainer Bill Mott praised the horse’s stamina and the strategy to skip the Preakness in favor of additional rest. The decision, he said, “set us up well for Saratoga.” Critics had questioned the move, but the win silenced many doubts.
Journalism’s trainer Michael McCarthy acknowledged the challenge of racing three times in five weeks. “He gave us everything he had,” McCarthy said. “We’ll regroup and look ahead.”
The full finishing order included Rodriguez in fourth, followed by Hill Road, Heart of Honor, Uncaged, and Crudo. Each of these horses had moments of promise but couldn’t keep pace with the front three.
Earlier races on the day’s card saw wins from Maggy’s Palace, Stars and Strides, Big Blue Line, and General Partner, among others. In total, 14 races were scheduled, with two cancellations due to weather concerns.
The Belmont Stakes remains the final race in the Triple Crown series. Although there was no Triple Crown winner this year, the season still offered strong performances from top contenders. Sovereignty now has two major wins this year and is positioned well for upcoming races later this summer.
The next step for the winning horse is likely to be determined in the coming weeks. With Belmont and Derby wins under his belt, expectations will be high wherever he runs next.
Saratoga, known for its deep racing history, once again proved an ideal venue, giving fans an exciting race with a dramatic finish.
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