Contenders For The Belmont Stakes 2025

Contenders for the Belmont Stakes 2025 compete at Saratoga Racetrack

As the Belmont Stakes returns to Saratoga for its second straight year, the field is wide open—and the buzz is real. With no Triple Crown at stake this time, the spotlight is shifting toward individual rivalries, fresh contenders, and under-the-radar entries that could steal the honours in one of the sport’s most anticipated Grade 1 races.

This isn’t the old-school Belmont at a grinding mile and a half. The 2025 edition trims that distance to 1¼ miles, changing how handlers plan their moves.

Sprinters with stamina and tactically minded runners now have a better chance at victory. The change in venue—and shorter distance—has also influenced how bettors analyze the form, with current Belmont odds already highlighting rising contenders worth watching.

Let’s break down the frontrunners, rising threats, and form clues that are shaping the race narrative heading into 7 June.

Two Titans: Sovereignty and Journalism Set the Stage

What makes this year’s Belmont feel electric is the looming showdown between two headline-makers.

Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby champ, is fresh after skipping the Preakness. His Churchill Downs win wasn’t a fluke—it was a powerful, well-timed run that cemented him as the horse to beat.

Journalism enters off a decisive win in the Preakness Stakes. With five wins from seven starts, he’s proven under pressure and carries strong late acceleration.

The rivalry? Authentic. The hype? Earned. The conditions? Perfect for a clash. These two aren’t the only contenders for the Belmont Stakes 2025 — they’re anchors of the race narrative. But several other horses are shifting the current Belmont odds and gaining ground quickly.

The Thrill Of Horse Racing

Movers in the Market: Who’s Gaining Steam?

While Journalism and Sovereignty dominate the headlines, the form sheet advises not to overlook the rest of the field. Here are five names heating up at the right time:

Hill Road

Last Out: Won the Grade 3 Peter Pan at Aqueduct
Trainer: Chad Brown

With two wins and two placings from five starts, Hill Road’s Peter Pan victory showed maturity and versatility. That win at 1⅛ miles makes him one to watch, especially if the pace softens up front.

Baeza

Last Out: 3rd in the Kentucky Derby
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Jockey: Flavien Prat

This McKinzie colt was a hard-finishing third in the Derby and carries a record of 1-2-1 in five starts. His 12-1 odds may look generous given that experience and grit. A tactically run race could bring him right into the picture.

Grande

Last Out: Runner-up in the G2 Wood Memorial
Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Still lightly raced with only three starts, Grande placed second to Rodriguez at Aqueduct in April. He has the raw talent and stamina to stretch out and surprise.

Racehorse trainer Bob Baffert

Heart of Honor

Last Out: 5th in the Preakness
Trainer: Jamie Osborne

More experienced than most in this field, Heart of Honor brings seven starts into this race. With two wins and four placings, consistency is his game. He may not be explosive, but he’ll be in the mix late if others falter.

Rodriguez

Last Out: Winner of the Wood Memorial
Trainer: Bob Baffert

You can’t overlook a Baffert-trained colt with multiple wins and a Grade 2 title. Rodriguez is built for control and can either press the pace or sit just off the lead. That adaptability could prove useful over the new Belmont distance.

Changing the Game: Saratoga's Impact on Race Style

Let’s be clear: a shorter Belmont changes everything.

At 1½ miles, the old Belmont was a test of endurance. Trainers aimed to conserve energy for one final push. But at 1¼ miles, we’re now dealing with a pace-driven contest. Positioning early becomes vital, and stamina takes a back seat to race tactics and acceleration.

This gives a boost to horses like Journalism and Hill Road, both known for strong turns of foot. However, it also puts front-runners like Grande and Rodriguez in a better position, especially if they can dictate the tempo without facing early pressure.

Track bias at Saratoga adds another wrinkle. Horses that stay close to the rail and conserve ground have shown better results at similar distances. Expect connections to focus heavily on draw positions come 2 June.

Which Profiles Fit the New Belmont?

So, who checks the right boxes in this year’s altered Belmont?

✔️ Strong record at middle distances (1⅛ – 1¼ miles)
✔️ Proven ability in Grade 1 or 2 company
✔️ Versatility in pace scenarios
✔️ Strong jockey-trainer combos
✔️ Recent form—not just hype

Journalism and Sovereignty obviously hit most of these. But Hill Road and Rodriguez aren’t far off. And Baeza’s Kentucky Derby finish shows he’s battle-tested.

Jockey Shifts and Trainer Strategy

Junior Alvarado (Sovereignty) and Umberto Rispoli (Journalism) are likely locked in, barring setbacks. But some names remain TBA, like Hill Road’s rider. A late switch to a high-profile jockey could give punters a new angle.

Trainer tactics will also shift depending on how the draw plays out. For example:

Baffert (Rodriguez) may go aggressive early.
Chad Brown (Hill Road) is known for timed rides and off-the-pace runners.
Pletcher (Grande) tends to prep horses to peak on race day, especially in New York.

Sum Up Of Contenders For The Belmont Stakes 2025

With a week to go before the Belmont draw and less than two weeks until race day, eyes are firmly on workouts, entries, and the evolving market.

The current Belmont odds reflect early sentiment—but they’ll move. As horses confirm entry and bettors react to prep buzz, expect some shakeups. Value may lie not just in the favourites, but in runners like Baeza and Hill Road, who are quietly checking all the right boxes.