2025 Belmont Stakes: Last Leg of Triple Crown Set for Saturday

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York — The 157th Belmont Stakes, the final leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 7:04 p.m. ET, airing on FOX. This year marks the second consecutive time that the storied Saratoga Race Course will host the race while Belmont Park undergoes renovations.

The race follows the Kentucky Derby, won by Sovereignty, and the Preakness Stakes, claimed by Journalism. Both horses are expected to be strong contenders for victory, continuing their pursuit of a Triple Crown that will not feature a winner in 2025.

In the 156th Belmont Stakes held in 2024, Dornoch triumphed, finishing as a 17-1 long shot with a time of 2:01.64. The anticipation around this year’s race is palpable, as horse racing enthusiasts prepare to place their bets, with fans eager to see if Journalism can secure another win after his strong performance in the Preakness.

According to the latest odds, Journalism stands as the favorite with odds of 8-5, while Sovereignty follows closely at 2-1. Other horses in the lineup include Baeza at 4-1 and Rodriguez at 6-1, with a full list of odds available as of June 6.

Trainer Michael McCarthy has received accolades for developing Journalism, who has won five of his seven career starts. McCarthy noted, “This horse has that extra something special that makes him competitive in every race.” On the other hand, Sovereignty has been well-rested, opting out of the Preakness to focus exclusively on this race, enhancing his chances of success.

As betting strategies come into play, many are looking at the performance of horses who have historically fared well at shorter distances at Saratoga. Notably, both Journalism and Baeza have shown the ability to stay close to the leaders, with tactical advantages that could set them apart in this challenging field.

With excitement building and the stakes high, the Belmont Stakes promises to deliver thrilling horse racing action as fans await to see who will emerge victorious in this prestigious event.