By Deborah Middleton
The 2025 Belmont Stakes, the final leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, will take place on Saturday, June 7, at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. This temporary venue change—due to construction at Belmont Park—marks the second year the race has been held at Saratoga. The shift also shortens the traditional distance from 1 1/2 miles to 1 1/4 miles, aligning it with the Kentucky Derby and altering race dynamics. The Belmont Stakes headlines a five-day racing festival featuring 27 stakes races and over $11.2 million in purses, making it a high-profile event for both fans and bettors.
The shifting Triple Crown narrative
The Triple Crown—which includes the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes—poses a distinct and demanding test for three-year-old Thoroughbreds. Winning all three races is a rare feat. The sequence tests a horse's speed, stamina, and recovery ability over a tight schedule. The tension in 2025 centers on the potential for a Triple Crown winner or, more commonly, a horse attempting to win two of the three legs after participating in the earlier races. The 2024 Belmont Stakes winner, Dornoch, closed with odds of +1500.
Historically, the Belmont Stakes has been a pivotal race where Triple Crown dreams are either realized or dashed. With the Preakness taking place in mid-May and the Belmont in early June, trainers face crucial decisions about their horses' participation and preparation. The 2025 schedule sees the Preakness run on May 17, just weeks before the Belmont on June 7. These decisions, particularly regarding skipping a race, directly influence the narrative and betting landscape leading up to the final leg.
Sovereignty's path and the Favorite's role
Sovereignty, the 2025 Kentucky Derby winner trained by Bill Mott, is generating strong buzz ahead of the Belmont Stakes. After his 1 1/2-length victory at Churchill Downs, his connections chose to skip the Preakness, giving him added rest for Saratoga—a common strategic move. Sired by Into Mischief, whose offspring have won the Derby but not the Belmont, Sovereignty currently leads most 2025 odds. Oddsmakers are factoring in his Derby performance, pedigree, and fresh preparation heading into the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Skipping the Preakness
Sovereignty's decision to skip the Preakness Stakes, held on May 17, was announced shortly after his Kentucky Derby win. According to a release from Pimlico press, trainer Bill Mott confirmed the colt would point towards the Belmont instead. This allows Sovereignty extra time to recover and prepare specifically for the Belmont's 1 1/4-mile distance at Saratoga.
Impact on the Belmont Field
By skipping the Preakness, Sovereignty avoids the potential fatigue from two classic races in three weeks, but it also means he won't have faced any horses emerging from the second leg of the Triple Crown. His presence as a rested Derby winner will be a significant factor for oddsmakers and bettors analyzing the final field. The field and post positions for the Belmont Stakes are typically revealed on the Monday before the race, around June 2.
Other potential contenders
Sovereignty may be the favorite, but contenders like Journalism and Clever Again are in the mix for the 2025 Belmont Stakes. Journalism, Derby runner-up and Preakness favorite at 6-5, has won four of his last five and is sired by Curlin. Clever Again, 8-1 in the Preakness, is trained by Steve Asmussen, ridden by Jose Ortiz, and sired by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, with two wins in three starts including a dominant Hot Springs Stakes victory.
Journalism's performance
Journalism finished a hard-fought second in the Kentucky Derby and was positioned as the morning-line favorite for the Preakness Stakes. His consistent record, never finishing worse than third in his career, and his sire Curlin's Preakness victory make him a credible threat in Triple Crown races. His performance in the Preakness will be a key indicator of his potential fitness and form heading into the Belmont.
Clever Again's pedigree and form
Clever Again's connections boast Triple Crown race success, with trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Jose Ortiz having won the Preakness previously. Being a son of American Pharoah, a Triple Crown winner, adds to his appeal. Despite a limited racing history, his dominant wire-to-wire win in the Hot Springs Stakes suggests significant potential. He represents a horse with high-class pedigree and recent strong form.
Understanding Belmont Stakes odds
Belmont Stakes odds are created by expert oddsmakers who assess each horse's probability of winning. They analyze various factors, including past performances, speed figures, pedigree, jockey and trainer effectiveness, and track conditions. Betting patterns and public preferences also influence the initial odds. The odds initially released are known as the morning line odds.
These odds are not static; they fluctuate based on the amount of money wagered on each horse and any significant news or developments leading up to race time. Watching how the odds shift provides insight into how the betting public and experts view each contender's chances. Fractional odds are commonly used in horse racing, such as 3-1 or 50-1, which can be converted to American or decimal odds. Understanding how to read these odds is fundamental for bettors.
The betting landscape
Betting on the Belmont Stakes is a major activity for horse racing enthusiasts. Numerous online platforms are available for legal wagering in many U.S. states. Sites like OTB (Off Track Betting) and FanDuel Racing offer the ability to place bets and often watch races online. These platforms may offer promotions, such as deposit matches, for new users.
States where Americans can legally wager on horse racing include Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming, among others. The accessibility of online wagering makes it easy for fans across the country to participate in the excitement of the Belmont Stakes. Legal betting sites are researched and selected by experts to ensure credibility.
