Belmont Stakes 2025 had everything—top-tier horses, tense rivalries, shifting conditions, and more attention than usual thanks to the temporary venue change. Horse race betting sites lit up all week leading to the race, as fans and punters adjusted strategies for the Saratoga layout. Fewer horses, tighter turns, and a shorter-than-usual distance made this year’s Belmont feel less like tradition and more like a fast-break showdown. This was a different kind of final leg in the Triple Crown.
Saratoga Takes the Reins
With Belmont Park still under construction, the Belmont Stakes returned to Saratoga for the second straight year. It was never going to feel quite the same—it’s a smaller track, which forces the Belmont to shrink from 1½ miles to 1¼ miles. That subtle shift changes strategy. It also means the race feels more like the Derby than the traditional long-haul Belmont grind.
Attendance for Stakes Day came in just over 46,000—slightly below the 2024 figure, but still solid. Over the five-day festival, more than 110,000 passed through the gates. That’s not just racing fans—it’s casual bettors, families, and visitors who wanted to be part of the summer horse racing buzz.
Financially, the race delivered. Saratoga handled over $197 million in betting across the week, nearly matching 2024’s record despite smaller attendance.
Sovereignty vs. Journalism: The Rematch
This one was set up to be a classic two-horse showdown: Sovereignty, who won the Kentucky Derby, and Journalism, who edged out the Preakness.
Sovereignty came in fresh, having skipped the Preakness. That decision by trainer Bill Mott raised eyebrows, but the logic was sound: rest, prep, and focus on a late-season double.
Journalism carried momentum from Baltimore. He’d beaten a tough field, and many assumed his sharpness would carry over.
When the gates opened, both stayed close to the lead. In the final turn, Sovereignty found his gear. Junior Alvarado pushed at the right time and cleared the field by three lengths, clocking a 2:00.69 finish. Journalism couldn’t catch him. That’s two head-to-heads this year—and two wins for Sovereignty.
Other Names Worth Knowing
It wasn’t just a two-horse affair, though. Anyone playing trifectas or superfectas on horse race betting sites had to dig deeper. The smart money knew Sovereignty and Journalism would dominate headlines, but there was value lurking underneath.
Baeza—steady finisher. Didn’t flash early, but stayed in the mix and came in third. That’s his third Grade I placing this season.
Rodriguez—ran with the lead early but faded to fourth. Classic pace scenario. Still helped shape how the race unfolded.
Hill Road—long shot bettors liked him at 10-1. He finished fifth, but made a late run that confirmed he can close if the field breaks down.
Crudo—the 15-1 wild card. He’d won the Sir Barton but found the class rise too much. Still, a useful piece in exotic tickets.
This is where the right Belmont Stakes Betting Strategy pays off. Everyone sees the headline horses. But if you’re watching form cycles, pace history, and trainer intent, you can build exactas and trifectas that give solid return even with chalky winners.
Track, Weather, and Setup
The weather turned out decent. Light rain earlier in the day, but the track held firm. That was a relief—soft ground at Saratoga can seriously skew outcomes.
The field was relatively small this year, partly due to the demanding Triple Crown schedule and Saratoga’s tighter paddock logistics. But that made things cleaner. Fewer traffic jams. Less chance of mid-pack trouble. Bettors could focus more on pace and closing ability than trip risks.
The shorter distance also meant a faster tempo. This year’s race played out with a sharper early pace than the traditional Belmont. Trainers knew the move had to come sooner. No time to wait.
Big Money and Betting Angles
The betting public got it mostly right. Sovereignty went off around 2-1, Journalism close behind at 8-5. Together they soaked up more than 60% of the win pool. Most bettors played them straight, but exacta boxes with Baeza or Hill Road added some meat.
- Win payout on Sovereignty: $7.00
- Exacta (Sovereignty over Journalism): $6.60
- Trifecta (Sovereignty > Journalism > Baeza): $6.90
Not huge returns, but low-risk for those who boxed the logical trio. The big play came on multi-race bets—Daily Doubles and Pick 4s with earlier long shots added real juice.
Handle was solid across the board. NYRA reported roughly $198 million in action. Horse race betting sites carried a ton of mobile volume, especially in New York and neighboring states.
Trainer Moves & Jockey Tactics
Bill Mott’s move to skip the Preakness now looks like genius. It’s not traditional—you don’t see many trainers voluntarily give up a Triple Crown shot—but Mott knew his horse. Sovereignty’s got a big stride, not made for tight two-week turnarounds. He needed recovery, not glory.
Junior Alvarado deserves serious credit too. He caught heat for overuse of the crop in the Derby (he got fined), but came into Belmont focused, clean, and on cue. He didn’t force anything. Rode with patience early, then asked for everything when it counted.
Meanwhile, Chad Brown quietly had a great weekend—multiple wins on the undercard. And John Velazquez reminded everyone why he’s still elite with nine wins across the week.
Saratoga’s Economy Wins Too
Local businesses saw strong action. Hotel rates dropped slightly compared to 2024, but that opened the door for more visitors. Saratoga’s bars, restaurants, and shops all reported 30%–40% bumps in weekend sales.
The five-day festival format spread out the crowd. Instead of just one giant day, NYRA ran 27 stakes races across the week. That helped smooth out operations—and gave smaller trainers and horses more chance to shine.
Despite a slight attendance dip from 2024, the overall vibe was positive. Saratoga held up well under Triple Crown spotlight. And fans appreciated the intimacy of the setting—even if they missed the old Belmont roar.
What’s Next?
Sovereignty likely points toward the Travers Stakes in August. It’s the natural next step. If he wins that, he locks in three major Grade I wins for the season. That’s Horse of the Year territory.
Journalism may reset for a fall campaign. He’s been busy—three big races already. Don’t be shocked if he shows up next in the Haskell or Pennsylvania Derby.
As for the Belmont Stakes itself: this was probably the last time it runs at Saratoga. Belmont Park is scheduled to reopen in 2026, with a brand-new grandstand, paddock, and upgraded facilities. The plan is to restore the race to its full 1½-mile glory—on a faster, more modern surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is The Influence of Gate Position on Horse Racing Results?
A: Gate Position in Horse Racing matters more in sprint races than in longer ones, but even at 1¼ miles, a bad gate draw can limit early options or lead to traffic. Inside draws can be tricky if a horse lacks early speed.
Q: Why is the Belmont at Saratoga again in 2025?
A: Belmont Park is under full reconstruction. Until that’s finished—planned for 2026—the race has shifted to Saratoga Race Course.
Q: What’s the difference in track size between Belmont and Saratoga?
A: Belmont’s main track is 1½ miles; Saratoga’s is 1⅛ miles. That changes how the race is structured and how horses are positioned.
Q: What did a winning ticket on Sovereignty pay?
A: A $2 win ticket paid $7.00. Exacta with Journalism paid $6.60. Exotics stayed low due to chalk finish.
Q: Is skipping the Preakness becoming a trend?
A: Not yet common, but more trainers are skipping the middle jewel if they feel their horse needs rest or doesn’t fit the Preakness profile.
A Shorter Test, A Clear Winner
Saratoga gave us a new kind of Belmont—shorter, tighter, less grind, more snap. Sovereignty handled it like a champ. He showed class in the Derby, skipped the Preakness smartly, and returned to prove he’s no fluke. For those betting the race, the best value wasn’t in picking the winner—it was in reading the race shape, understanding strategy shifts, and building around predictable results.
The Belmont Stakes remains a cornerstone of American racing. Venue change or not, drama still finds the final stretch.
